In Ohio congressional race, GOP backs a candidate who advocated against lead pipe inspections

The National Republican Congressional Committee has turned to Derek Merrin, a state representative and real estate investor who once proposed legislation to remove mandatory lead pipe testing for rental properties in Ohio cities, in the state’s Ninth Congressional District race.

In 2017, the northwest Ohio representative introduced an amendment to the state budget which would have stripped cities of the authority to test water pipes for lead. The amendment came after a law was unanimously passed by the Toledo City Council to require certain buildings to pass lead pipe inspections before landlords could lease units to tenants.

Merrin called the law “unconstitutional” and “discriminatory”, sparking his amendment; he said it would protect the Ohio Department of Health from being “undermined and hindered.” At the time, reports also suggested that Merrin received at least $12,000 in campaign donations from a realtor political action committee and other real estate investors.

According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch, Merrin is a realtor and real estate investor who was once destined to take over as Ohio’s House Speaker in 2022. However, a group of Republicans worked with Democrats to elect Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) instead.

Now, national Republicans are looking to Merrin as a viable candidate to take on incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D) this November. Former state Rep. Craig Riedel was recently backed by the GOP, but House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and other leaders rescinded their endorsements for Riedel after conservative activists leaked audio of him criticizing former President Donald Trump.

Riedel himself was a replacement for far-right candidate J.R. Majewski, who had the support of MAGA loyalists before it was reported that he lied about seeing combat during his time in the military.

All three candidates will fight for the Republican nomination in Ohio’s primary election on March 19.