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R Republican · U.S. House 9, Ohio · Nov 3, 2026

Derek
Merrin

Republican Derek Merrin challenges incumbent Marcy Kaptur in Ohio's 9th Congressional District in 2026

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
24
positions
12
endorsements
9
derekmerrin.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)TikTok(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Marcy Kaptur D+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Derek Merrin is a Republican candidate for U.S. House in Ohio's 9th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, challenging incumbent Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur. 31518

Merrin served eight years in the Ohio House of Representatives, first representing the 47th District (2016–2023) following an appointment in August 2016, and then the 42nd District (2023–2025). Before his state legislative service, he served on Waterville City Council (2006–2007) and as Waterville mayor (2008–2011). 232426

His professional background includes work as a senior performance analyst and regional liaison for the Ohio State Auditor's Office (2012–2015), as a realtor with Key Realty (2013–2017), and as owner of Merrin Property Holdings from 2015 onward. His campaign describes him as a real estate investor. 101321

Merrin holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo and a Master of Public Administration from Bowling Green State University. He makes his home in Monclova Township, Ohio. 113

At a glance

Party
Republican
Running for
U.S. House · District 9, Ohio
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Real estate investor and Republican candidate for U.S. House, Ohio's 9th District
Website
derekmerrin.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    news
    Merrin absent from citizens' candidate forum covering data centers, school funding, and Iran war

    BG Independent News reported that Merrin did not attend a local citizens' candidate forum that covered topics including data centers, school funding, the war in Iran, and corruption in the Trump administration.

    Candidates quizzed by citizens on data centers, school funding, war ... · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    poll
    Merrin tells Breitbart his internal polling shows him ahead by 'a couple points'

    In an exclusive interview with Breitbart, Merrin said his campaign's internal polling showed him leading by a couple of points, calling Ohio's 9th the GOP's best opportunity in the nation to defeat an incumbent Democrat. No methodology or detailed results were provided.

    Exclusive–Derek Merrin: Ohio's 9th Gives GOP 'Best Opportunity' in Nation to Defeat Incumbent Democrat · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    news
    Merrin says lowering cost of living is his 'number one priority' in 13abc interview

    In a full interview published Oct. 7–8, Merrin called for lower income taxes and less regulation, expressed skepticism of tariffs that raise the cost of living, and said he would support policies to increase energy production and supply.

    Derek Merrin discusses issues at center of congressional ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 3
    news
    Merrin calls gas prices too high, urges American energy production and ending war

    Coverage reported Merrin saying 'We need to get this war wrapped up, we need to unleash American energy and we got to put more money in people's pockets.' Ohio's 90-day state gas-tax holiday took effect Oct. 4.

    Taxes, gas prices key in Ohio congressional race · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 2
    endorsement
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Merrin at Toledo event

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Merrin at an event in Toledo as part of its National Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour.

    U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Derek Merrin for Ohio's ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 1
    endorsement
    Americans for Prosperity Action endorses Merrin, citing his Ohio House record on taxes

    AFP Action endorsed Merrin for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, citing his record on taxes and occupational licensing in the Ohio House, and said it would mobilize its network on his behalf.

    AFP Action Endorses Derek Merrin for Ohio's 9th ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 29
    poll
    DCCC poll shows Kaptur-Merrin race tied at 48% each in Ohio's 9th District

    A DCCC-sponsored poll of 481 likely voters conducted Sept. 22–23 found Kaptur and Merrin tied at 48% each, with 4% undecided and a margin of error of ±4.5 percentage points.

    DCCC Polling Memo: OH-09 is a Dead Heat - DCCC · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 2
    filing
    Merrin confirmed on ballot for Ohio's 9th Congressional District Nov. 3 general election

    An Erie County Board of Elections candidate list reviewed by The Stated Record showed Merrin and Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur as printed candidates for the November 3 ballot.

    Ohio U.S. House District 9 | The Stated Record · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Vice President JD Vance official
    Vance expressed support for Merrin at a Republican rally. The report does not provide a separate dated formal statement for Merrin specifically. yahoo.com · Oct 9, 2026
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    The Chamber announced its endorsement at an event in Toledo. uschamber.com · Oct 2, 2026
  • Americans for Prosperity Action organization
    AFP Action announced its endorsement and said it would mobilize its grassroots network in the district. afpaction.com · Oct 1, 2026
  • Buckeye Firearms Association PAC organization
    The PAC's 2026 Ohio general-election endorsement list marks Merrin "Endorsed" and gives him an A grade. buckeyefirearms.org · Aug 3, 2026
  • Toledo Police Command Officers' Association union
    Merrin announced that he had received the association's endorsement. x.com · Jul 28, 2026
  • Bull Moose Project organization
    The group announced its endorsement; Merrin also acknowledged its support that day. x.com · Jul 21, 2026
  • Club for Growth PAC organization
    The organization announced its endorsement of Merrin for Ohio's 9th District. clubforgrowth.org · Jun 15, 2026
  • Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, and Lisa McClain (House Republican leadership) official
    House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain jointly endorsed Merrin for Ohio's 9th District. x.com · May 22, 2026
  • Donald Trump official
    Trump announced his endorsement in a Truth Social post, saying Merrin had his "Complete and Total Endorsement." presidency.ucsb.edu · May 21, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.51M
Spent
$1.05M
Cash on hand
$531K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4OH09169(opens in a new tab)

Sources 24

  1. [1] Candidates quizzed by citizens on data centers, school funding, war ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] Vance backs Republican candidates in rally(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Derek Merrin talks taxes, tariffs and energy ahead of 9th Congressional District race(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Exclusive–Derek Merrin: Ohio's 9th Gives GOP 'Best Opportunity' in Nation to Defeat Incumbent Democrat(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and U.S. House Candidate Derek Merrin (R-OH) Speak to Reporters(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  6. [6] Derek Merrin discusses issues at center of congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  7. [7] Derek Merrin — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  8. [8] Taxes, gas prices key in Ohio congressional race(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  9. [9] Derek Merrin (R) – OH-09 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  10. [10] U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Derek Merrin for Ohio's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  11. [11] AFP Action Endorses Derek Merrin for Ohio's 9th ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  12. [12] Ohio — 9th District — head to head | 2026election.com(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  13. [13] Ohio U.S. House District 9 | The Stated Record(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  14. [14] DCCC Polling Memo: OH-09 is a Dead Heat - DCCC(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  15. [15] Derek Merrin | Biography & Record — The Conservative Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  16. [16] Derek Merrin - State Rep., Dist. 47(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
  17. [17] OH-09 - DCCC(opens in a new tab) Aug 19, 2026
  18. [18] 2026 BFA-PAC Grades and Endorsements for the Ohio General ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 3, 2026
  19. [19] Derek Merrin(opens in a new tab) Jul 28, 2026
  20. [20] Derek Merrin on X: "Proud to have the support of @BullMooseProj ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 21, 2026
  21. [21] Club for Growth PAC Endorses Derek Merrin in OH-09 Race(opens in a new tab) Jun 15, 2026
  22. [22] Steve Scalise on X(opens in a new tab) May 22, 2026
  23. [23] Truth Social Posts of May 21, 2026(opens in a new tab) May 21, 2026
  24. [24] Ohio legislature could become even more conservative under House Speaker-elect Derek Merrin(opens in a new tab) Apr 28, 2024
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