Republican Derek Merrin Projected to Win Ohio's 9th District Primary, Will Face Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in November
Merrin beat four GOP rivals and will face Kaptur again in a toss-up district Republicans hope to flip.
- On Tuesday, former state Representative Derek Merrin won the Republican primary for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, securing a rematch against longtime Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur in a race expected to be among the nation's most contested.
- Merrin emerged victorious in the five-way primary with 43 percent of the vote, defeating state Representative Josh Williams, who secured 26 percent, and former Immigration and Customs Enforcement deputy director Madison Sheahan, who trailed with 20 percent.
- The district, which spans parts of northwest Ohio, was redrawn in October 2025 to create a more Republican-leaning seat, potentially aiding GOP efforts to flip the seat held by Kaptur since 1983.
- Kaptur stated she is entering the general election "in a position of strength," while Merrin argued that after decades in Washington, Kaptur is "part of the problem," positioning himself as offering fresh leadership.
- Control of the U.S. House next year may hinge on this race, which Inside Elections currently rates as Tilt Republican, setting the stage for a high-stakes election on November 3.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Ohio’s Kaptur set for rematch with Merrin in bid for 23rd House term
Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in congressional history, will face a rematch with Republican Derek Merrin in a battleground northwest Ohio seat that grew a shade redder in redistricting. Merrin emerged as the victor in Tuesday’s five-way GOP primary in the 9th District. The former state representative had 43 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race just after 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. “Northwest Ohio…
Republican Derek Merrin projected to win Ohio's 9th District primary, will face Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in November
Derek Merrin won the GOP primary in Ohio's 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, setting up a rematch against longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in what's expected to be one of the most contested House races of the year.
Ohio GOP Voters Pick Former State Lawmaker for Rematch Against Democratic Rep. Kaptur
Republican candidate Derrick Merrin, a former Ohio lawmaker, is getting a second chance at toppling America’s longest-serving member of Congress: Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. The race is of national significance because Republicans only narrowly control the House of Representatives; gaining a coveted Democrat-held seat could improve the GOP’s ability to advance the agenda of President Donald Trump. Kaptur’s 9th Congressional District, which hug…
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