It was a race that tested both the resilience of a veteran legislator and the sway of a former president’s endorsement. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur emerged victorious on Wednesday, securing her 22nd term in the U.S. House of Representatives after a closely fought contest in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
The Associated Press called the race at 1:02 p.m. EST on Wednesday, declaring Kaptur the winner over her Republican challenger, Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin. With nearly all precincts reporting, Kaptur held a narrow lead, securing 48.27% of the vote to Merrin’s 47.63%, a margin of just 2,382 votes. Libertarian candidate Tom Pruss garnered approximately 4%, further tightening the contest.
Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the history of the House, celebrated her victory in a district that was dramatically redrawn during the last round of redistricting, making it one of the most competitive in the nation. Her re-election ensures a Democratic hold on the district, even as Republicans solidify their majority in the House.
Merrin, a fourth-term state representative and a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, posed a formidable challenge in a campaign marked by sharp contrasts. With the election now decided, Democrats hold 213 seats in the House, while Republicans, buoyed by gains in other districts, secure a slim majority with 218 seats.
At 78 years old, Marcy Kaptur was considered one of the most at-risk incumbents in this year’s congressional races. Her campaign for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District was one of the most expensive, with spending exceeding $23 million, as reported by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization that tracks campaign finances.
Although the race was not officially called on election night, Kaptur had already announced her victory early on November 6.
“Tonight, the people of Ohio’s 9th District have spoken, and I am deeply grateful for the trust they have placed in me to continue fighting for working families, creating good-paying jobs, protecting healthcare for everyone, and securing Social Security and Medicare so Ohioans can retire with dignity,” Kaptur’s campaign said in a statement. “This campaign has always been about the strength and resilience of our communities, and tonight we celebrate not just a victory but a renewed commitment to the belief that what America makes and grows, makes and grows America.”
Merrin has criticized Kaptur’s legislative achievements, noting that she has been the primary sponsor of only five enacted bills during her long tenure. He argued that these figures highlight the need for Kaptur to retire.
“Joe Biden had the decency to step down,” Merrin said at a Saturday morning event. “Marcy Kaptur doesn’t have the decency to step down and let northwest Ohio have a representative that’s excited about going to work and can walk up the steps of the Capitol and deliver.”
Merrin’s campaign has also highlighted Kaptur’s consistent alignment with the Biden administration, as she voted in line with its policies 100% of the time.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) expressed his strong support for Merrin during an October rally. “This is seen by everybody around the country as what may be the best pickup opportunity we have to flip a blue seat to red,” Johnson said.
Republicans have secured the majority in the House; however, the final size of their lead hinges on three unresolved races. The outstanding contests are in California, Alaska, and Iowa.
