Derek Merrin won Ohio’s 9th Congressional District’s Republican Primary and will now face Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in the Nov. 3 election, the Associated Press projected Tuesday.

Former Ohio state Rep. Derek Merrin will compete against Kaptur, who has represented Ohio’s 9th congressional district since 1983 — making her the longest-serving woman in congressional history.

Results will remain unofficial until they are certified by election officials later this month.

“Northwest Ohio is ready for fresh new leadership,” Merrin said in a news release. “That’s why we are going to defeat Marcy Kaptur this November. After decades in Washington, she’s part of the problem—not the solution. Our campaign offers a clear alternative: new leadership, a focus on lowering costs, supporting law and order, and putting Northwest Ohio first. Tonight is the beginning.”

Merrin served four terms as an Ohio state representative for the Toledo district from 2016 to 2025. He lost a close race to Kaptur during the 2024 election.

Merrin received 44.1% of the vote, Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams received 25.3% of the vote, former deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Madison Sheahan got 20.2% of the vote, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alea Nadeem received 5.5% of the vote, and healthcare industry worker Anthony Campbell received 4.9% of the vote, according to unofficial results by the Associated Press. 

President Donald Trump won this district by 11 points in 2024. 

The Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a new congressional map in October, increasing the Republican advantage in the state 12-3. 

Republicans currently hold 10 out of 15 Ohio U.S. Congressional districts.

There are currently 217 Republicans and 212 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. There are five vacancies. 

Ohio District 1

Former CIA officer Eric Conroy won Ohio’s 1st Congressional District’s Republican Primary with 71.9% of the vote, the Associated Press projects. 

“Republican voters in Southwest Ohio sent a clear message: it’s time for new leadership,” Eric Conroy said in a statement. “I’m grateful, I’m humbled, and I’m ready to get to work.”

President Donald Trump endorsed Conroy in the election. 

Former businesswoman Holly Adams received 19.7% of the vote and nonprofit CEO Rosemary Oglesby-Henry got 8.4% of the vote, according to unofficial results by the Associated Press.

Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman of Cincinnati beat Damon Lynch IV in the Democratic primary — receiving 68% of the vote, according to unofficial results by the Associated Press.

Conroy will now face Landsman, who has served in Congress since 2023, in the Nov. 3 election.  

Ohio’s 13th District

Carey Coleman won Ohio’s 13th Congressional District’s Republican Primary with 473% of the vote, the Associated Press also projected.

Leetonia Mayor Kevin Siembida received 18.8% of the vote, businesswoman Margaret Briem got 16.9% of the vote, businessman Neil Patel received 14.5% of the vote, and medical school graduate Sanjin Drakovac got 2.6% of the vote, according to unofficial results by the Associated Press.

Coleman will now challenge incumbent Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, who has served in Congress since 2023. 

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This story is republished from the Ohio Capital Journal under a Creative Commons license. View the original article.