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.

Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams, former deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Madison Sheahan, healthcare industry worker Anthony Campbell, and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alea Nadeem also ran in the Republican Primary. 

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, 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 and nonprofit CEO Rosemary Oglesby-Henry also ran in the Republican Primary. 

Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman of Cincinnati beat Damon Lynch IV in the Democratic primary, 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, the Associated Press also projected.

Businesswoman Margaret Briem, Leetonia Mayor Kevin Siembida, medical school graduate Sanjin Drakovac, and businessman Neil Patel also ran in the Republican Primary. 

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

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on X or on Bluesky.