Ohio GOP Voters Pick Former State Lawmaker for Rematch Against Democratic Rep. Kaptur

Derrick Merrin won the GOP primary for Ohio’s Congressional District 9, which Republicans hope to flip.

Republican candidates in Ohio's 9th congressional district participate in a forum in Toledo on April 13, 2026. At the left-side table are Ohio Rep. Josh Williams (L) and Air National Guard Lt. Col. Alea Nadeem (2-L); at the right-side table are (L-R) health care executive Anthony Campbell, former immigration official Madison Sheahan, and former Ohio Rep. Derek Merrin, Courtesy of Toby Miller/VoteR PAC

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.

“I’m honored by the support we received from Conservatives across Northwest Ohio,” Merrin said in a May 5 news release reacting to his win.

“Northwest Ohio is ready for fresh new leadership. That’s why we are going to defeat Marcy Kaptur this November.

“After decades in Washington, she’s part of the problem—not the solution. Our campaign offers a clear alternative: new leadership, a focus on lowering costs, supporting law and order, and putting Northwest Ohio first. Tonight is the beginning.”

During his past work as a state representative, Merrin “fought to cut taxes, lower prices, eliminate wasteful spending, and stand up for Ohio workers,” the release said.

Kaptur’s 9th Congressional District, which hugs the Lake Erie shoreline and traverses farmland as well as the Toledo metro area, was recently reconfigured in Republicans’ favor.

Republican voters in the district picked Merrin, who narrowly lost to Kaptur in 2024, from a field of five hopefuls. Among them was current Ohio Rep. Josh Williams, the first black Republican elected to the House of Representatives in 50 years.

The Associated Press called the race at 9:34 p.m. ET, with Merrin winning 43 percent of the vote, with 72 percent reporting. Williams came in second, and Madison Sheahan, a former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deputy director, finished third.

Kaptur, 79, has served in Congress since 1983—22 terms. The congresswoman’s website describes her as a “fighter for working people.”

Merrin served eight years in the Ohio legislature, where he led the Ohio House Republican Caucus. He led efforts to cut the state’s income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice, among other accomplishments, his website says.

“Now, I’m ready to take the fight to Washington—defending our constitutional rights, demanding fiscal responsibility, and bolstering Northwest Ohio’s economy,” said Merrin, as quoted on his website.

Kaptur, who was unopposed on the Democratic primary ballot, had just under $3.1 million cash on hand—more than all five Republican contenders combined—after spending about $741,000 on her campaign, an April financial filing showed.

The two top GOP fundraisers were Williams, who brought in $852,000 and had spent $716,000 as of last month, followed by Merrin’s receipts of $757,000 and disbursements of $645,000. Alea Nadeem came in third with about $690,000 collected and $581,000 spent.