Derek Merrin emerged victorious in the Republican primary for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, as projected by CBS News, setting the stage for a rematch with incumbent Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur in what is anticipated to be a highly competitive House race this year.
Kaptur, who has served as a member of Congress for an impressive length of time since 1983, is the longest-serving woman in that body.
Merrin, who previously held a position as a state representative, aimed to unseat Kaptur in the 2024 election but fell short by approximately 2,400 votes—just above the margin that would have warranted an automatic recount. The final decision on that race came two weeks after the election concluded.
The congressional district in northwestern Ohio underwent redistricting in October 2025, resulting in a configuration that leans more Republican ahead of the upcoming elections in November. This alteration is anticipated to present Kaptur with her most challenging reelection campaign to date, as Republicans seek to uphold their majority in the House. The Cook Political Report has categorized the district as a toss-up.
The National Republican Campaign Committee is intensively targeting the 9th District, asserting in January that “Republicans are positioned to turn OH-09 red and retire the out-of-touch, career politician Marcy Kaptur. Kaptur should consider starting to clear out her office now.”
Merrin triumphed over four other candidates in the Republican primary, which included state Representative Josh Williams, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement official Madison Sheahan, healthcare data scientist Anthony Campbell, and Air Force veteran Alea Nadeem.
Sheahan, who entered the race later than others, garnered attention for her background with ICE and received endorsements from notable figures such as former Ohio State University coach Urban Meyer and MAGA celebrity Ted Nugent. However, she faced challenges in gaining significant support within the crowded primary field.
Williams, age 41, expressed to CBS Toledo affiliate WTOL that Kaptur “has been in Congress longer than I have been alive.” Both he and Merrin emphasized their conservative values and longstanding leadership within the district.
