Ohio 9th District
Marcy Kaptur (D) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Marcy Kaptur
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 63 of 120 votes and bills.
Raised $5,910,481 since January 2025: 58% from people, 26% from PACs and other committees, 16% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Derek Merrin
Republican · former Ohio state representative
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Merrin, and what Merrin has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Raised $2,217,821 since January 2025: 37% transfers and other income, 36% from people, 14% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Ohio: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Derek Merrin, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Merrin, so the grade above comes from this list: what Merrin has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Says Iran must not get a nuclear weapon, that he thinks that risk has been largely eliminated, and that the war should be wrapped up.
“We cannot afford to have Iran attain a nuclear weapon. I think we have for the most part taken care of and eliminated that risk.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He opposes an Iranian bomb but also asks for the war to end, with no sanction, deal or strike policy named, so the words do not settle a side.
-
Says he led efforts to cut Ohio's income tax and reduce regulations.
“Derek successfully led efforts to cut the state’s income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting a named tax and regulation is with liberty on free markets.
-
Says his priorities are lower taxes and less regulation.
“Lower taxes, cut regulation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting regulation is with liberty on free markets.
-
Says Kaptur voted against a bill to keep men out of women's sports and co-sponsored the Equality Act, which he says would let men into women's sports and locker rooms.
“She's also co-sponsored six times the radical Equality Act that would allow men to play women's sports and allow men into women's locker rooms.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
-
Says the country must stop what he calls an invasion at the southern border and secure the border.
“Number one, we must stop the invasion at the southern border”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
-
Says enforcing immigration law and deporting people who are here illegally and have committed crimes is the federal government's job.
“That means enforcing our immigration laws, deporting criminals here illegally and keeping dangerous drugs off our streets.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing the law and deporting those who break it is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Matthew Althaus (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
Say it where other readers can answer you. Opinions, videos and corrections about this race are all in one place.
Discussion
Ohio 9th District
Opinions, videos, corrections and bug reports about this race, all in one place. What readers post is their words, not mine. My answers carry the Host tag.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, what your account keeps, and what readers have changed so far
Know this race better than I do?
Argue it with the hosts on a call. The community meets every day, and members help decide what goes on these pages.