In 2002, Miller was elected to represent North Carolina's 13th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. Following the 2000 Census, Miller had a hand in redrawing the district map which established NC 13. During the 2002 election, Miller advanced from a crowded Democratic primary, which included former Congressman Robin Britt, to defeat Republican Carolyn Grant and a Libertarian candidate with roughly 55% of the vote. Grant later sued Miller alleging, among other things, that he and his campaign defamed her in an October 2002 television advertisement. She later dropped the suit after she failed to comply with several court orders.