Federal

U.S. Representative, 9th Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

All of Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam and Williams counties, and northern Wood County (Northwood, Perrysburg, Rossford and part of Perrysburg Township).

Candidates Compare by issue

Derek Merrin

Republican

Real estate investor; former state representative · Monclova Township

The gist

Led efforts to cut Ohio's state income tax.
Led efforts to expand school choice in Ohio.
Supported requiring photo ID to vote.
Supported Ohio's permitless concealed carry law.
Sponsored repeal of the sales tax on prescription eyewear.
Led passage of law delaying property taxes on subdivided lots.

More about Derek

View sources (1)

Led efforts to cut Ohio's state income tax.
Home | Derek Merrin
Campaign website · Derek Merrin for Congress · derekmerrin.com
“Derek successfully led efforts to cut the state's income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice.”
Led efforts to expand school choice in Ohio.
Home | Derek Merrin
Campaign website · Derek Merrin for Congress · derekmerrin.com
“led efforts to cut the state's income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice”
Supported requiring photo ID to vote.
Home | Derek Merrin
Campaign website · Derek Merrin for Congress · derekmerrin.com
“He played key roles in the requirement to show photo-ID to vote”
Supported Ohio's permitless concealed carry law.
Home | Derek Merrin
Campaign website · Derek Merrin for Congress · derekmerrin.com
“and to allow Ohioans the constitutional right to carry”
Sponsored repeal of the sales tax on prescription eyewear.
Home | Derek Merrin
Campaign website · Derek Merrin for Congress · derekmerrin.com
“Merrin successfully repealed the sales tax on prescription eyewear”
Led passage of law delaying property taxes on subdivided lots.
Home | Derek Merrin
Campaign website · Derek Merrin for Congress · derekmerrin.com
“which blocks property tax increases on subdivided lots until the home is built or lot is sold”

Marcy Kaptur

DemocraticIncumbent

U.S. Representative · Toledo

The gist

Supports tariffs protecting Ohio factories.
Opposes cutting or privatizing Social Security and Medicare.
Opposes a national abortion ban.
Voted to expand border security and hire border agents.
Supports repealing Citizens United and limiting election spending.
Supports funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Voted for the PACT Act expanding veterans' benefits.

More about Marcy

View sources (1)

Supports tariffs protecting Ohio factories.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“take away tax breaks from companies that ship jobs overseas, and for tariffs that protect Ohio-based factories and companies”
Opposes cutting or privatizing Social Security and Medicare.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“She has fought to protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts and privatization”
Opposes a national abortion ban.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“Marcy opposes a national abortion ban”
Voted to expand border security and hire border agents.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“She has voted to improve and expand border security, to hire more than 10,000 border agents”
Supports repealing Citizens United and limiting election spending.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“has supported legislation to repeal Citizens United, to limit spending in elections”
Supports funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“When the initiative was threatened to be zeroed out, Marcy worked in a bipartisan manner to restore it”
Voted for the PACT Act expanding veterans' benefits.
Marcy’s Priorities - Marcy Kaptur
Campaign website · Kaptur for Congress · marcykaptur.com
“In 2022, she helped pass the PACT Act”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.