US Democratic congressman-elect Brian Poindexter, who defeated Republican incumbent Max Miller in a closely watched congressional race in Ohio, is under investigation over allegations of sexual harassment involving a campaign volunteer, The Washington Post reported on Friday.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) confirmed that it had hired an independent third-party firm to investigate the allegations against Poindexter, who won Ohio's 7th Congressional District by nearly 10 percentage points in the November 3 midterm elections.
According to an aide to Poindexter who spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity, the allegation concerns a remark that the congressman-elect “thought was an innocuous compliment to a volunteer.”
“He heard later that it made her feel uncomfortable and he felt awful,” the aide said, adding that Poindexter's campaign had hired a human resources firm to examine the incident.
Two political action committees that supported Poindexter's campaign, the Blue Dog PAC and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, said they learned of the allegation in the final days of the election campaign and subsequently withdrew their endorsements.
Democratic groups withdraw endorsements over harassment allegation
The committees also notified the DCCC but did not publicly explain their decision at the time, citing the wishes of the woman who made the allegation.
According to the PACs, the woman requested that details of the incident remain confidential because she “did not want her identity becoming public and she wanted an opportunity to determine how she wanted to proceed while protecting herself.”
“The DCCC has been made aware of the allegations and takes them seriously,” Julie Merz, the organization's executive director, said in a statement to The Washington Post.
“Upon completion of that investigation, which we have asked to be swift, thorough and transparent, the DCCC will have further comment.”
The investigation comes shortly after Poindexter secured a Democratic victory in a district previously represented by Miller, whose reelection campaign was overshadowed by allegations of domestic violence.
The contest was among the closely watched House races in the 2026 midterm elections, as Democrats sought to capture Republican-held seats and secure control of the House of Representatives.
Poindexter defeated Republican Max Miller amid domestic abuse allegations
Miller, a former aide to US President Donald Trump, faced allegations of domestic abuse made by his former wife, Emily Moreno, including accusations that he threw hot water from a pan at her, held a gun to her head, and injured their 2-year-old daughter.
According to a police report cited by The Washington Post, the child was found in February with a fractured collarbone and “a bruise that accompanies the injury that appears to be in a handprint and appears to have been inflicted.”
Miller has denied the allegations against him. A local investigation was unable to establish who caused the child's injury.
Poindexter made the accusations against Miller a central issue during his campaign, running political advertisements highlighting the domestic violence allegations against the Republican incumbent.
The election took place amid broader Democratic gains in the November midterms, which saw the party win control of both chambers of Congress.
The allegations against Poindexter also emerged amid broader scrutiny of misconduct accusations involving US lawmakers. Earlier in the election cycle, Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied.
Poindexter is scheduled to be sworn into Congress on January 3 alongside other newly elected House members.
He has not indicated that he intends to relinquish his seat because of the allegations.
Should Poindexter decline to take office, Ohio's governor would be responsible for calling a special election to fill the vacancy.
The DCCC has not announced when the investigation will be completed or whether its findings could lead to further action against Poindexter.