Ohio’s 9th Congressional District Race: Kaptur Vs. Merrin Key In House Control Battle‌ ‌

Incumbent Marcy Kaptur (D) and Derek Merrin (R) are running in the general election on Nov. 5, 2024 to represent Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. Balance of the U.S. House of Representatives control hangs in this showdown.

Kaptur has represented the district since 1983 and is the longest-serving woman in Congress. Merrin serves in the Ohio House of Representatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) and Donald Trump (R) endorsed Merrin in the Republican primary.

The Sandusky Register’s Tom Jackson said Kaptur “may be facing the toughest race of her career as she seeks re-election in a northern Ohio district that both sides believe they can win.”

Kaptur has often won overwhelming victories in the 9th Congressional District, which used to lie due south of Detroit and due West of Cleveland, running in a narrow strip along the shores of Lake Erie. Though her largest vote share came in 1998 with 81.2%, she habitually won upwards of 73% of the vote. Even in 2010, a wave year for Republicans, Kaptur coasted to a 59.4% victory, defeating Republican challenger Rich Lott by 18.8%.

However, redistricting has now shifted the district further west, gaining portions of what used to belong to Ohio’s 5th Congressional District, represented by Republican Bob Latta, which has sent him to Congress with no less than 57% of the vote every year since 2006. In return, Latta’s district has absorbed some of the more eastern portions of Kaptur’s old ground. In 2022, Kaptur defeated Republican J.R. Majewski 56.6% to 43.4%.

Erie County Republican Party chair Caleb Stidham said, “I think the worst mistake Republicans can make is underestimating Marcy Kaptur,” adding that Kaptur is “a fierce competitor. She’s been around for 40 years for a reason. She knows how to campaign.”

Based on Q2 2024 reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Kaptur raised $3 million and spent $0.7 million and Merrin raised $0.7 million and spent $0.3 million.

Kaptur is running on her record in Congress, saying, “I could point to 1,000 things — voting for the automotive industry, not against it, voting for the steel industry, not against it.” Kaptur added, “People remember, they remember.” Kaptur’s campaign website lists jobs and the economy, Great Lakes restoration efforts, and energy and infrastructure as top priorities. Kaptur said, “I’ll continue working across party lines as an independent voice for northern Ohio, a place too often left behind by Washington and Columbus.”

However, Merrin said Kaptur has not delivered for the district during her time in Congress. “When the voters of Northwest Ohio cast their ballot this November, their choice will be clear: continue the ineffective status quo, or elect a real leader who will deliver tangible results,” Merrin said. “Marcy Kaptur hasn’t done squat for the four decades she has served in Congress, and I look forward to bringing forth the meaningful change Northwest Ohioans have deserved for years.”

Merrin described himself as a constitutional conservative and said, “I believe that the Constitution has laid the foundation for our country to be successful and we need to get back to following the Constitution as federal lawmakers.”

Ohio holds 15 of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, Republicans hold a razor-thin majority with 220 seats.

Produced in association with Ballotpedia. Edited for Zenger News by Kyana Rubinfeld.