Derek Merrin secures GOP nomination for Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District race

Ohio state Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) has won the GOP nomination for Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District race, and he will face incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D) in November.

AP News called the race at 9:43 p.m. EST. As of 9:50 p.m. EST, Merrin secured 47.7% of the vote, eight percentage points more than the second-place finisher Craig Riedel. Riedel was once the hand-picked Republican in the race before leaked audio of him criticizing former president Donald Trump was released.

Merrin was a late entrant in the race and received the support of congressional Republicans after Riedel’s Trump blunder and J.R. Majewski’s offensive Special Olympics comments. Merrin also received a late boost when Trump endorsed his campaign on Truth Social on Monday.

I’m honored to have President Trump’s endorsement! Together, we will defeat Biden/Kaptur! Let’s Make America Great Again!! #OH09 pic.twitter.com/KPv5SBigRq

— Derek Merrin (@DerekMerrin) March 18, 2024

During his time in Ohio’s House of Representatives, Merrin, —  who real estate investor — introduced legislation to circumvent lead pipe inspections. Merrin was also destined to win Ohio’s House Speaker position before divisiveness in the chamber led to him losing unexpectedly.