Kaptur wants to win another term next year

SANDUSKY — U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, confirmed that she plans to run for re-election next year. In an interview with the Register, Kaptur said she expects her 9th U.S. House district to be redistricted this summer to give it a more Republican tilt. She also denounced a recent federal budget bill, described by President Donald Trump as a "big beautiful bill," and said it will help very rich people at the expense of ordinary Americans. The new bill also raises the national debt by $3.4 trillion, she said. "From a moral standpoint, it's a complete failure," she said. Kaptur, 79, has been a member of Congress since 1983. Her district was redrawn after the 2020 census to give it a more Republican demographic, but she defeated Republican opponents in 2022 and 2024. Her district will be redrawn once again this summer, in a process that will be dominated by Republican officials. Ohio used to redraw the districts every 10 years as other states do, Kaptur said. "The people who draw the lines are just crass political operatives," she said. Referring to her district, she said, "They will probably make it all Republican." Republicans already have been attacking Kaptur with press releases and TV ads. A press release issued Thursday by the National Republican Campaign Committee accused her of suffering from "out-of-control Trump Derangement Syndrome." Republican primary field shapes up Kaptur already has drawn three Republican challengers, who apparently will face off in next year's Republican primary: • Former state representative Derek Merrin of Monclova Township • State Rep. Josh Williams of Sylvania • Businessman Wayne Kinsel of Sylvania. It is believed other possible Republican candidates are looking at the race. Kaptur said the recently approved budget bill will harm ordinary people by taking away health care coverage. Almost 500,000 Ohioans are predicted to lose health care coverage, Kaptur contends. But because of tax cuts that primarily benefit the very rich, "Meanwhile, those who are extremely wealthy can buy another yacht," she said. The cuts in Medicaid will hurt hospitals in the district, Kaptur said, and people who lose coverage will wind up in hospital emergency rooms, she said. "Some of our hospitals operate at a margin of 1.25%," she said. "They will not survive." According to Kaptur's office, the bill reduces funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for seniors, veterans and children by $186 billion over 10 years, jeopardizing access for 316,000 Ohioans — nearly one in four residents. Kaptur said if she wins another term, she will continue to work for ordinary people. "I fight for the people," she said. In February, alarmed by reports that the Trump administration had made cuts in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which monitors harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, Kaptur tried to look into the issue. She and another member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, wrote a letter to Trump administration officials in February, asking for details on how the cuts will affect the agency's Great Lakes work. Kaptur said she has not received a response.