US Democrat who defeated embattled Republican Max Miller faces harassment probe - report

Democratic congressman-elect Brian Poindexter, who defeated Republican incumbent Max Miller in Ohio's 7th Congressional District by nearly 10 points, faces a sexual harassment investigation over a remark to a campaign volunteer. The DCCC hired an independent firm to probe the allegation, and two PACs withdrew endorsements after learning of it late in the campaign.

Democratic congressman-elect Brian Poindexter, who defeated Republican incumbent Max Miller in Ohio's 7th Congressional District by nearly 10 percentage points in the November 3 midterm elections, is under investigation for sexual harassment. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) confirmed it hired an independent firm to probe the allegations, which involve a remark a campaign aide described as an 'innocuous compliment' that made a volunteer uncomfortable. Two political action committees that supported Poindexter, the Blue Dog PAC and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, withdrew their endorsements after learning of the allegation in the final days of the campaign, citing the woman's request for confidentiality. Poindexter's campaign had also hired an HR firm to examine the incident. The investigation follows Poindexter's victory over Miller, whose reelection bid was overshadowed by domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife, which he denied. Poindexter made those allegations a central campaign issue. He is scheduled to be sworn into Congress on January 3 and has not indicated he will relinquish his seat.