--- title: "Poindexter vs. Miller: 2026 Ohio’s 7th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-oh-07" updated: "2026-10-07" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Ohio’s 7th District race: Brian Poindexter (D) vs. Max Miller (R) Rating: Lean R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 7, 2026 Incumbent Republican Max Miller faces Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter in Ohio's 7th Congressional District general election on November 3, 2026. The race hinges heavily on economic affordability, union labor rights, healthcare access, and candidate contrast following personal allegations against the incumbent and strong polling performance by Poindexter. ## Candidates - **Brian Poindexter** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](http://poindexterforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) - **Max Miller** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Max_Miller) ## Issues ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high Poindexter advocates ending tax cuts for the wealthy and eliminating blanket tariffs to build a worker-centered economy, whereas Miller supports making tax cuts permanent, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and deregulating businesses. **Brian Poindexter:** Builds economy around workers and affordability Poindexter argues that working families are bearing the burden of rising prices while corporations post record profits and wealthy individuals receive tax cuts. He opposes blanket tariffs and the war in Iran, which he identifies as key drivers of gas and grocery prices, while advocating for higher wages and an economy built from the workers up. - Opposes blanket tariffs that raise consumer prices while supporting targeted tariffs as a policy tool. - Calls for ending tax cuts for the wealthy and stopping corporate bailouts. - Attributes rising gas and grocery prices to blanket tariffs and the war in Iran. > “Cuts to health care funding, blanket tariffs, and the war in Iran have driven up crises on insurance, groceries, gas, and everything else we buy.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) > “An economy that works can’t be built from the penthouse down. It has to be built from the foundation up, and workers are that foundation.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Supports permanent tax cuts and deregulation Miller advocates for tax relief to ease financial burdens on working families, including making tax cuts permanent and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. He believes that curbing government overspending and removing regulatory barriers for job creators are essential to combating inflation. - Voted to support making tax cuts permanent, no tax on tips, and no tax on overtime. - Supports curbing federal spending and lowering taxes to combat inflation. - Advocates reducing government regulation so private job creators can build economic growth. > “Max knows the burden excess taxation can place on working families in the 7th district. That’s why he has voted to support making tax cuts permanent, no tax on tips, and no tax on overtime.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) > “Get the government out of the way and our job creators will make Ohio and America stronger.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ### Workers' Rights and Labor Unions Salience: high Poindexter prioritizes passing the PRO Act and expanding labor union access, while Miller concentrates on expanding technical and vocational workforce development options. **Brian Poindexter:** Supports PRO Act and union expansion As a 20-year union ironworker and apprenticeship instructor, Poindexter makes expanding worker representation a central focus of his campaign. He promises that the first bill he co-sponsors will be the PRO Act to protect organizing rights and prevent employer retaliation. - Pledges to co-sponsor the PRO Act as his first legislative action to strengthen unions. - Supports raising the minimum wage and expanding collective bargaining to bring back worker pensions. - Advocates for strict legal protections against employer retaliation for organizing workers. > “The first bill I sign on to will be the PRO Act to strengthen unions.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) > “My union changed my life. It gave me a steady job, the chance to learn from other workers on the job site, and the ability to work one job so I could be home for dinner with my daughters more often.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Promotes technical education over four-year degrees Miller focuses his workforce agenda on expanding technical and vocational education so workers can secure high-paying careers without college debt. His campaign materials do not state a position on legislation expanding labor union organizing. - Pushes to expand career and technical education (CTE) and workforce development programs. - Emphasizes that achieving prosperity does not require a four-year college degree or student debt. > “The American dream does not require a 4-year degree and a mountain of student loan debt.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ### Healthcare Salience: high Poindexter campaigns on reversing healthcare cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and making healthcare portable, whereas Miller voted in favor of the H.R. 1 reconciliation bill. **Brian Poindexter:** Opposes healthcare cuts and supports affordability Poindexter opposes healthcare funding cuts, strongly criticizing Miller's vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reconciliation bill. He advocates for decoupling healthcare from employment so workers maintain portable coverage, as well as increasing cost transparency. - Opposes healthcare cuts voted for in H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and promises to work to reverse them. - Advocates for portable healthcare coverage so workers do not lose insurance when changing jobs. - Supports protecting Medicare funding and lowering insurance premium costs. > “I strongly oppose the health care cuts my opponent voted for in the Big Beautiful Bill, and I would work to reverse those cuts and work towards affordable health care for everyone.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) > “Tying healthcare to employment gives bad bosses leverage they shouldn’t have.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Voted for Big Beautiful Bill reconciliation Miller voted in favor of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reconciliation legislation passed by the 119th Congress. His 2026 campaign site does not feature a dedicated standalone healthcare platform section. - Voted Yea on H.R. 1 (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14 / One Big Beautiful Bill Act). ### Energy and Environment Salience: medium Miller advocates expanding domestic fossil fuel production to lower energy costs, whereas Poindexter focuses on foreign policy interventions like ending the war in Iran to lower fuel prices. **Brian Poindexter:** Opposes war-driven fuel price increases Poindexter addresses energy through the lens of cost of living, arguing that foreign conflict and blanket tariffs drive up gas and utility prices. He explicitly calls for ending the war in Iran to lower gas prices for working families. - Calls for ending the war in Iran to bring down retail gas prices. - Opposes blanket tariffs that increase overall energy and utility costs. > “I support ending the Iran war to bring down gas prices.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Supports American energy independence and domestic drilling Miller supports domestic energy development including oil, natural gas, and coal to achieve American energy independence. He criticizes Biden administration energy regulations for raising electricity and gas prices and supports Trump-era domestic energy policies. - Voted Yea on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1 in the 118th Congress) to increase domestic oil, gas, and coal production. - Advocates returning to Trump administration policies to foster energy independence and lower utility bills. > “Max will continue to support the policies of the Trump administration to develop American energy independence and reduce the costs of gas and electricity.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ### Manufacturing and Domestic Trade Salience: medium Poindexter opposes blanket tariffs while favoring targeted tariffs and penalizing companies that outsource, while Miller emphasizes broad 'America First' trade policies and supply chain independence. **Brian Poindexter:** Supports targeted tariffs and domestic production Poindexter calls for real 'Made in America' policies by removing tax subsidies for corporations that ship manufacturing jobs overseas. He supports targeted tariffs to protect American workers while opposing blanket tariffs that raise prices on consumers. - Supports eliminating tax breaks and subsidies for companies that outsource jobs. - Supports targeted tariffs as an economic tool but opposes blanket tariffs. - Advocates investing in domestic supply chains to increase national security and job stability. > “If corporations want tax breaks, subsidies, and access to American markets, they should earn them by creating good-paying jobs here, respecting workers’ rights, and investing in the communities that support them.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) > “And while targeted tariffs can be a tool, I oppose the blanket tariffs that are making everything more expensive.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Supports supply chain security and domestic infrastructure Miller advocates for modernizing domestic infrastructure and supply chains to reduce reliance on foreign competitors like China. He criticizes corporations that abandon American labor for foreign markets and aligns with Trump-era trade priorities. - Pushes to rebuild supply chains to decrease dependence on foreign competitors. - Supports 'America First' economic policies to revitalize middle-class manufacturing. > “When we rebuild and modernize our infrastructure here at home, we strengthen our supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign competitors, and keep America secure.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ### Government Integrity and Governance Salience: medium Poindexter advocates legislative bans on congressional stock trading and corporate money in politics, whereas Miller's governance record relies on voting for public record transparency bills and personal ethics pledges. **Brian Poindexter:** Supports banning stock trading and corporate campaign cash Poindexter proposes anticorruption reforms aimed at removing corporate influence from federal policymaking. He supports banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks and stopping corporate campaign spending. - Supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks. - Advocates removing corporate money from federal elections. - Calls for ending tax breaks for wealthy donors and corporations. > “I want to ban politicians from trading stocks, get corporate money out of politics, and end the tax cuts for the wealthy.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Voted for transparency legislation Miller voted in favor of major government transparency measures in Congress, including the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In his past campaign platform, he pledged personal ethics commitments including putting assets in a blind trust and donating a portion of his congressional salary. - Voted Yea on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) to release unclassified DOJ records. - Previously pledged to place personal assets in a blind trust and donate 25% of his salary to charity. ### Social Security and Retirement Salience: low Poindexter proposes requiring high earners to pay more in taxes to protect Social Security and Medicare, whereas Miller voted for the Social Security Fairness Act to reduce benefit offsets. **Brian Poindexter:** Supports protecting Social Security and Medicare Poindexter pledges to protect Social Security and Medicare from benefit cuts by requiring high earners to pay more into the system. He also advocates for expanding collective bargaining to rebuild worker pension funds. - Advocates raising taxes on the wealthy to fund and secure Social Security. - Opposes cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits. - Supports restoring traditional worker pensions through union representation. > “I will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare, and I will work with Republicans like Sen. Bernie Moreno to protect Social Security by asking the wealthy to pay their fair share.” > — Brian Poindexter, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Poindexter) **Max Miller:** Voted for Social Security Fairness Act Miller voted in favor of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, which addressed benefit offsets for government pension recipients. His 2026 website does not outline a detailed standalone Social Security plank. - Voted Yea on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82). ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: medium **Brian Poindexter:** No documented position in our sources **Max Miller:** Supports strict border enforcement and border walls Miller emphasizes strict enforcement at the southern border to prevent drug smuggling, human trafficking, and unauthorized entries. In Congress, he consistently voted for tough immigration and enforcement bills, including the Laken Riley Act and the SAVE Act. - Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring detention of unauthorized immigrants arrested for theft crimes. - Voted Yea on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. - Voted Yea on the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2). > “The lawlessness at the southern border has led to illicit drugs on our streets, dangerous criminals getting rich, and human trafficking of innocent victims.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ### Infrastructure Salience: low **Brian Poindexter:** No documented position in our sources **Max Miller:** Supports funding roads, bridges, and broadband Miller identifies infrastructure modernization as a core component of his 'America First' platform. He advocates investing in roads, bridges, rail, and rural broadband to foster job creation and keep commerce moving efficiently. - Supports federal investment in roads, bridges, rail, and broadband access. - Frames infrastructure modernization as essential to supply chain resilience and national security. > “No policy is more America First than investing in our infrastructure.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ### Public Safety and Law Enforcement Salience: low **Brian Poindexter:** No documented position in our sources **Max Miller:** Supports increased funding for law enforcement Miller advocates for increased funding and backing for police officers and front-line law enforcement. He strongly opposes efforts to defund law enforcement agencies and backed state bail reform efforts in Ohio. - Pledges to secure increased funding and support for law enforcement officers. - Opposes efforts to defund or reduce resources for police departments. - Supported Ohio Issue 1 (2022) to allow judges to consider public safety when setting bail. > “While radical Democrats want to defund and degrade our law enforcement on the front lines, Max will fight for increased funding and support for law enforcement.” > — Max Miller, via [Campaign site](https://www.votemaxmiller.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/oh-07-house-election-winner) — OH-07 House Election Winner: Democrats 86.0%, Republicans 14.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-OH07-26) — OH-07 House winner?: Brian Poindexter 85.0%, Max Miller 16.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-oh-07)