Republicans to challenge Kaptur

SANDUSKY — U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, doesn't come up for re-election until next year, but already the battle for the Ninth District U.S. House seat has begun. Derek Merrin, a former Republican state representative who won the GOP nomination in the 2024 but lost to Kaptur, and state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, both announced Monday they are running against Kaptur as Republican candidates. Merrin lives in Monclova Township, in Lucas County. In addition, there's a third GOP candidate. Wayne Kinsel of Sylvania, a businessman and Air Force veteran, has filed papers with the Federal Election Commission saying that he's also in the race. A Republican primary apparently looms next year. It's believed other possible Republican candidates may be looking at the race. Kaptur, who just turned 79, has made it clear she plans to seek another two-year term. Kaptur's Ninth District includes much of northwest Ohio, including Sandusky and Port Clinton. The 9th District includes all or part of Erie, Ottawa, Lucas, Sandusky, Defiance, Williams, Fulton and Wood counties. A complicating factor in next year's race is that her district is likely changing, again. U.S. House districts will be redistricted once again this summer, and that could affect Kaptur's race as well as other U.S. House races in Ohio. A redistricting could change the political tilt of the district to make Kaptur's re-election campaign either easier or harder and also could affect which candidates would still live in the district if they won. The outcome of the Republican primary for the Ninth District could hinge on whether President Donald Trump provides an endorsement. Trump's endorsement has been a key to victory in other Ohio Republican races. In a press release announcing his candidacy, Merrin announced a campaign website, derekmerrin.com, and explained why he is running. "We must finish the mission because Marcy continues to turn her back on the people she claims to serve. That's why I'm running — to stand up for the America First agenda, support President Trump's priorities, and deliver real results for hardworking Ohio families," Merrin said. "Marcy Kaptur has put Washington politics ahead of working Ohioans for over 42 years in DC." Kaptur's campaign issued a statement saying that the Republican Party will likely have a "messy primary" to pick its nominee. "In addition to the new looming threat of all out war in the Middle East, Congresswoman Kaptur remains focused on protecting seniors, workers, families, and farmers from the pain of tariffs, trade wars, Medicaid cuts, and degrading government services," the statement said. "Meanwhile, it seems the only thing the GOP is focused on is more war and picking and choosing voters to rig the third set of gerrymandered maps that their hand picked candidates can run in. That will be the third set of illegal maps this decade. Marcy looks forward to a spirited campaign next year, but will let the GOP focus on what will surely be another messy primary ahead."