It was primary day in Ohio on Tuesday, with results coming in for several key races that could affect the midterms—especially control of the U.S. House.
Republican Derek Merrin is set to face Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in November after winning Ohio’s 9th Congressional District last night.
Kaptur has represented the district since 1983, which makes her the longest-serving woman in Congress. While Kaptur did not have a primary challenger this year, Merrin came close to ousting her in 2024.
As of Wednesday morning, with 99% of the vote reporting, Merrin has won 44.1%. The Associated Press called the race approximately two hours after polls closed.
State Rep. Josh Williams came in second with 25.3%, followed by Madison Sheahan at 20.2%. Alea Nadeem and Anthony Campbell finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Williams and Sheahan each won a county, however, with Williams winning Paulding County by 19%, and Sheahan narrowly besting Merrin for Ottawa County.
Merrin won the 2024 primary by a larger margin, though he had a less crowded primary. He would go on to lose the general election to Kaptur by 0.7%, while President Donald Trump, who endorsed Merrin in February of that year, won the district by almost 7% against then Vice President Kamala Harris.
Shortly after the AP called the race, Merrin’s campaign released a statement.
“I’m honored by the support we received from Conservatives across Northwest Ohio. Northwest Ohio is ready for fresh new leadership. That’s why we are going to defeat Marcy Kaptur this November,” Merrin said.
Even before emerging victorious on Tuesday, Merrin had been going after Kaptur in his social media posts.
“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,” he wrote.
A press release from the Merrin campaign also touted the Republican nominee’s record while calling out Kaptur. “Merrin has a proven record of fighting for Northwest Ohio. In the House, he fought to cut taxes, lower prices, eliminate wasteful spending, and stand up for Ohio workers. Merrin will bring fresh new leadership to a region of the state that has been forgotten by Marcy Kaptur and the Washington establishment,” the press release said.
Merrin also shared on X a screenshot of NBC News coverage declaring him the primary winner, stressing “It’s Time for New Leadership.”
Kaptur released a statement of her own.
“Northwest Ohio has always been my home, and the people here have always been my priority,” Kaptur said. “I will never stop fighting to lower costs, protect the health care and Social Security working families have earned, and hold anyone accountable who puts special interests ahead of the hardworking families I am honored to serve. That’s the choice in this election — a fighter who shows up for Northwest Ohio, or a self-serving politician who has spent his career showing up for himself.”
Kaptur is heading toward the general election in a position of strength, including $3 million cash on hand and grassroots support across all 10 counties of Ohio’s new 9th District.
Kaptur also has incumbent status. The 22-term Democratic congresswoman could benefit from a midterm with a Republican president in office.
A saving grace for Merrin, however, might be that Ohio’s 9th Congressional District was recently redistricted to favor Republicans. Ohio was required to redraw its maps, and an agreement was reached late last October.
