By Caitlin Yilek / May 5, 2026 / 11:28 PM EDT / CBS News
Derek Merrin won the Republican primary in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District on Tuesday, CBS News projected, setting up a rematch with longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in what is expected to be one of the country’s most contested House races this year.
Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, has held the seat since 1983. Merrin, a former state representative, narrowly lost to Kaptur in 2024 by about 2,400 votes — just above the threshold for an automatic recount — and that race was not called until two weeks after Election Day.
The district was redrawn in October 2025 to be more Republican-leaning ahead of November, a change that could make Kaptur’s reelection bid her toughest yet as Republicans work to retain control of the House. The Cook Political Report rates OH-09 as a toss up.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has targeted the district, saying Republicans are poised to flip it and urging Kaptur to “start cleaning out her office now.”
Merrin defeated four other GOP candidates: state Rep. Josh Williams; former Immigration and Customs Enforcement official Madison Sheahan; health care data scientist Anthony Campbell; and Air Force veteran Alea Nadeem.
Sheahan, a controversial late entry, campaigned on her ICE background and drew endorsements from former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and conservative figure Ted Nugent, but she struggled to gain traction in the crowded field.
Williams, 41, told CBS Toledo affiliate WTOL that Kaptur “has been in Congress longer than I’ve been alive.” Both Williams and Merrin emphasized their conservative credentials and leadership experience within the district.