Ohio — 9th District

Marcy Kaptur

Supports tariffs, job training, and fair trade

Kaptur prioritizes strengthening the local economy by opposing unfair trade deals, removing tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas, and advocating for protective tariffs. She champions non-degree technical job training programs to secure high-wage jobs for working-class families and fights to lower costs for healthcare, prescription drugs, and groceries.

• Opposed trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA, and China PNTR to protect local manufacturing.
• Advocates for tariffs that protect Ohio-based factories and companies.
• Secured federal funding for local job training and technical skills programs that do not require a four-year college degree.
• Pushes to repeal tax breaks for companies that relocate jobs overseas.

“Unfair trade agreements, corporate politicians, Wall Street recklessness, and tax breaks for large corporations that ship our jobs to China and Mexico have decimated America’s middle-class, especially in Northwest Ohio.”

“She is fighting to bring jobs home, take away tax breaks from companies that ship jobs overseas, and for tariffs that protect Ohio-based factories and companies.”

Derek Merrin

Supports tax cuts, deregulation, and bringing back jobs

Merrin argues that Biden-Kaptur economic policies have crushed local families through tax-and-spend agendas, high living costs, and national debt. In the state legislature, he led efforts to cut Ohio's income tax, eliminate regulations, and repeal sales taxes on prescription eyewear and business taxes.

• Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge with Americans for Tax Reform.
• Led state legislative efforts to cut Ohio's income tax and reduce regulations.
• Authored bills repealing the sales tax on prescription eyewear (HB 116) and the Financial Institution Tax on Small Business Investment Companies (HB 592).
• Reduced tax burdens on mortgage lenders (HB 150) and prohibited municipal income taxes on minors (HB 33).

“The Biden/Kaptur economic policies are crushing Northwest Ohio families. Kaptur and Biden have instituted a tax-and-spend agenda that has resulted in inflation, outrageous costs at the grocery store, and put future generations of Northwest Ohioans on the hook for a skyrocketing national debt.”

“We must address the high cost of living, reduce Northwest Ohio’s tax burden, and bring American jobs back to America.”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports enhanced border security and bipartisan reform

Kaptur supports secure borders alongside legal immigration, voting to hire 10,000 border agents, deploy surveillance technology, and allow military presence at the border if necessary. She backed the 2024 Senate bipartisan border plan and legislation to lock up fentanyl traffickers while opposing family separations.

• Voted to hire over 10,000 border agents and deploy advanced border technology.
• Supported the 2024 Senate bipartisan border security plan negotiated by Sen. James Lankford.
• Voted for measures enabling military presence at the border if needed and stiffening penalties for fentanyl traffickers.

“Marcy believes in secure borders and legal immigration. She has voted to improve and expand border security, to hire more than 10,000 border agents, and to enable military presence at the border if needed.”

“Just as the answer is not separating children from parents at the border, Marcy knows an orderly approach that prioritizes the security of the United States must be put in place.”

Derek Merrin

Supports wall completion, military deployment, and mass deportation

Merrin criticizes Biden and Kaptur for open-border policies that he says have allowed mass illegal immigration, illegal drugs like fentanyl, and criminal cartels into American communities. He advocates finishing the southern border wall, deploying military forces, and deporting illegal immigrants.

• Pledges to finish construction of the southern border wall.
• Supports deploying the U.S. military to the border to combat drug cartels and human trafficking.
• Supports mass deportation of illegal immigrants.

“The reckless open-border policies of Marcy Kaptur and the Biden administration have allowed mass illegal immigration. Marcy Kaptur never met an illegal immigrant she didn't want to give an American job.”

“As a Member of Congress, I will continue to champion a secure border to ensure the safety of Northwest Ohio families. I support sending the military to secure the border to stop drug cartels and human trafficking. Furthermore, we must finish Trump's wall and deport illegal immigrants.”

Marcy Kaptur

Opposes cuts and privatization of benefits

Kaptur opposes attempts to cut or privatize Social Security and Medicare, arguing that working people have spent years paying into the programs and deserve full protection. She focuses on shoring up traditional Medicare and Social Security while lowering healthcare and drug costs.

• Fights to protect Social Security and Medicare from benefit cuts and privatization.
• Authored and supported initiatives to shore up traditional Medicare and ensure retirement security.
• Advocates for lowering prescription drug and healthcare costs for seniors.

“She has fought to protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts and privatization, because working people have spent years paying into the system and they deserve to be covered.”

“I support the shoring up of traditional Medicare and Social Security to ensure retirement security for all Americans.”

Derek Merrin

Supports benefit preservation and removing tax burdens

Merrin commits to protecting earned Social Security and Medicare benefits, highlighting that the programs have become fragile during Kaptur's tenure. He advocates eliminating federal income taxes on Social Security benefits and repealing the windfall elimination provision.

• Pledges to protect earned Social Security and Medicare benefits for seniors.
• Supports eliminating the federal tax burden on Social Security benefits.
• Supports repealing the windfall elimination provision that penalizes working retirees.

“Northwest Ohioans deserve to know their Social Security and Medicare benefits will remain secure.”

“Also, I support removing the federal tax burden on Social Security benefits as well as eliminating the windfall provision that penalizes hardworking Americans.”

Marcy Kaptur

Opposes national abortion ban and supports reproductive rights

Kaptur opposes a national abortion ban, emphasizing that healthcare decisions should remain between women and their doctors. She publicly supported Ohio's 2023 reproductive rights constitutional amendment and opposes the criminalization of reproductive healthcare.

• Opposes a national abortion ban, specifically bans without exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the mother.
• Endorsed and supported Ohio Issue 1 in 2023 to establish a state constitutional right to reproductive decisions.
• Opposes the criminalization of reproductive healthcare services.

“A woman’s health decisions must be between a woman and her doctor, not out-of-touch lawmakers. Marcy opposes a national abortion ban, especially a ban that would not make exceptions for rape, incest or life of the mother.”

Derek Merrin

Opposes abortion and sponsored anti-abortion legislation

Merrin is a conservative anti-abortion candidate who authored and advanced anti-abortion legislation while serving in the Ohio legislature, including restrictions based on fetal diagnoses.

• Sponsored and passed the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act (HB 214) in Ohio.
• Consistently voted for anti-abortion legislative measures as a state representative.

“He prevailed in his pursuit of the Epinephrine Accessibility Act (HB 101) and the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act (HB 214).”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports targeted federal appropriations and investments

Kaptur utilizes her position on the House Appropriations Committee to direct federal funding toward community development, energy, defense, and veteran programs. She voted against Republican budget resolutions and reconciliation measures in 2025.

• Serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
• Voted Nay on the 2025 budget resolution (H.Con.Res.14) and One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1).
• Voted Nay on full-year and continuing appropriations bills (H.R. 1968, H.R. 5371) in 2025.

“She’s worked with both parties to secure investments in our communities and has been a true friend of veterans, seniors, first responders and working people.”

Derek Merrin

Supports constitutional balanced budget amendment

Merrin emphasizes fiscal responsibility, calling for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget so that government spends only within its means. He signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to oppose net tax increases.

• Supports a constitutional amendment to mandate a balanced federal budget.
• Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge with Americans for Tax Reform.
• Pledges to challenge spending practices and reform federal fiscal policy.

“As a Member of Congress, I will do everything I can to get America’s fiscal house in order. I support a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget; America should only spend within our means.”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports Great Lakes restoration and all-of-the-above clean energy

Kaptur promotes an 'all of the above' energy strategy covering solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels to reduce dependence on foreign oil and combat climate change. As Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Appropriations subcommittee, she led bipartisan efforts to preserve funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to protect Lake Erie from algal blooms and invasive species.

• Serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
• Spearheaded bipartisan efforts to restore funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to combat harmful algal blooms and invasive species.
• Supports home weatherization programs to improve energy efficiency and lower household costs.

“Whether it’s solar, wind, geo-thermal, or biofuels, our region can lead us into a 21st century energy future not dependent on foreign oil or renewable manufacturers, while also fostering American energy independence and bringing down emissions to combat climate change.”

“When the initiative was threatened to be zeroed out, Marcy worked in a bipartisan manner to restore it – and the promise of clean, fresh water for our region.”

Derek Merrin

Supports fuel tax transparency

In the state legislature, Merrin authored the Fuel Tax Transparency Act to ensure consumers are informed of state and federal fuel tax rates at gas pumps.

• Authored HB 62 requiring fuel tax transparency stickers on fuel pumps across Ohio.

“Additionally, in 2019, Merrin’s Fuel Tax Transparency Act requiring stickers on fuel pumps displaying the state and federal fuel taxes became law through the Transportation Budget (HB 62).”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports expanding affordable housing and community restoration

Kaptur treats housing as essential infrastructure, introducing the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act to invest in disinvested urban and rural communities. She focuses on expanding affordable housing supply, reducing lead hazards in legacy homes, and boosting home energy efficiency.

• Introduced the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act to target housing and development investment in neglected areas.
• Advocates for increasing affordable housing supply and mitigating lead paint dangers in legacy homes.
• Promotes weatherization programs to reduce home heating and cooling expenses.

“Additionally, we need a new mindset that recognizes that our homes are an important part of our nation’s infrastructure.”

“She has introduced the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act to invest in both urban and rural communities that have seen disinvestment over the years.”

Derek Merrin

Supports property tax limits and homebuilding relief

Merrin enacted state housing policies intended to protect property owners from tax increases. He authored the Affordable Homebuilding & Housing Act to freeze property taxes on subdivided lots until homes are sold, and reformed local procedures for challenging property tax valuations.

• Passed the Affordable Homebuilding & Housing Act blocking property tax hikes on subdivided lots until construction is completed or sold.
• Reformed Board of Revision law (HB 126 and HB 118) to limit local governments from challenging property values to raise taxes.

“After a five-year push, Merrin pushed through the Affordable Homebuilding & Housing Act, which blocks property tax increases on subdivided lots until the home is built or lot is sold.”

“He also reformed Ohio’s Board of Revision law (HB 126), which limits the power of local governments to challenge property values to increase property taxes on property owners.”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports campaign finance reform and repealing Citizens United

Kaptur supports overturning Citizens United, capping spending in elections, and expanding ballot access to curb billionaire and corporate influence. In 2025, she voted Nay on the SAVE Act, which would mandate documentary proof of citizenship for federal election registration.

• Supports constitutional amendments and legislation to repeal Citizens United and restrict campaign spending.
• Voted Nay on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22) in 2025.
• Identifies election security as a top priority.

“Billionaires and corporations are now free to pump millions of dollars into our elections without accountability. Without campaign finance reform, Democracy is at risk.”

Derek Merrin

Supports voter photo-ID laws, congressional term limits, and ballot transparency

Merrin supported Ohio's photo-ID requirement for voting and authored the Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act. He strongly advocates term limits for members of Congress, signing a pledge to limit House members to three terms.

• Played a key role in enacting photo-ID requirements for voting in Ohio.
• Signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge to co-sponsor a constitutional amendment limiting House members to three terms.
• Authored the Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act (HB 140) requiring clear ballot explanations of tax levy impacts.

“I believe we must impose term limits upon Members of Congress to ensure new leadership that reflects the American population. That’s why I’ve signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge to cosponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment that limits members to three House terms.”

“He played key roles in the requirement to show photo-ID to vote...”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports veterans' benefits, defense assets, and congressional war powers

Kaptur helped pass the PACT Act to expand toxic exposure benefits for veterans, secured funding for new VA clinics, and led the long effort to build the National World War II Memorial. She protects local defense assets such as Toledo's 180th Fighter Wing while maintaining that Congress must retain oversight on military engagements.

• Voted to pass the PACT Act in 2022 to expand VA benefits and care for toxic exposures.
• Led a nearly two-decade effort to construct the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
• Secured funding for VA clinics and defended Toledo's 180th Fighter Wing from closure.
• Voted against authorizing President Bush's war powers in Iraq, supporting congressional war authority.

“In 2022, she helped pass the PACT Act, marking the largest expansion of benefits and services for veterans in more than 30 years.”

“Marcy is a strong believer that Congress, and not the president alone, must have a voice in defense actions. She voted against authorizing President Bush’s Iraq war powers.”

Derek Merrin

Supports fallen military families and veterans' tuition benefits

Merrin's legislative record includes sponsoring the Anthony Dia Act, which provides college tuition waivers for children and spouses of military service members and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

• Authored and passed the Anthony Dia Act (HB 760) granting college tuition waivers to families of fallen military members and police.

“In 2020, Merrin successfully sponsored the Anthony Dia Act (760) making it easier for children and spouses of law enforcement and military service members killed in the line of duty to access college tuition waivers.”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports Glass-Steagall reinstatement and financial crime enforcement

Kaptur contends that Dodd-Frank was insufficient to address Wall Street risk, advocating for the Return to Prudent Banking Act to reinstate Glass-Steagall rules separating commercial and investment banking. She also authored the Financial Crisis Investigation Act to fund 1,000 forensic crime investigators.

• Introduced the Return to Prudent Banking Act to reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act.
• Authored the Financial Crisis Investigation Act authorizing 1,000 agents and forensic experts to investigate financial crimes.
• Voted Nay on S.1582 (GENIUS Act) regulating payment stablecoins in 2025.

“Marcy has proposed the Return to Prudent Banking Act, which would reinstate the provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act to address these issues and more.”

“Commercial banking has not been separated from investment banking. Our financial institutions are still “too big to fail”.”

Derek Merrin

Supports reducing taxes on financial and mortgage institutions

In the state legislature, Merrin focused on reducing tax burdens on financial institutions and lenders, successfully repealing small business investment taxes and lowering state mortgage lender taxes.

• Repealed the Financial Institution Tax on Small Business Investment Companies (HB 592).
• Reduced the state tax burden on mortgage lenders through HB 150.

“He also successfully reduced mortgage lenders’ tax burden (HB 150), believed to be the highest in the nation at the time.”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports small farmers and combating corporate farm consolidation

Kaptur supports family farmers through voluntary conservation practices rather than punitive regulations, while working to prevent corporate farm consolidation and absentee ownership. She also promotes urban agriculture initiatives.

• Supports family farmers through consensus-based conservation solutions to protect Lake Erie.
• Advocates against farm consolidation and absentee corporate land ownership.
• Promotes urban agriculture and natural resource rehabilitation in cities.

“This passion has manifested itself in a commitment to policies that support small farmers, lead to environmental best practices, and create economic opportunities in a changing world.”

“Solutions to help families maintain farming traditions, as well as prevent the consolidation of farms and spread of absentee owners who aren’t invested in our communities must be found through consensus.”

Derek Merrin

Supports reducing trailer registration burdens for equipment

Merrin's legislative record includes establishing a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial trailers, benefiting rural and agricultural equipment owners across Ohio.

• Authored HB 23 establishing permanent registration options for non-commercial trailers in Ohio.

“In 2023, Merrin succeeded in establishing a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial trailers, which saves time and costs for the state owners of 600,000 trailers (HB23).”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports technical skills training and community job programs

Kaptur emphasizes expanding technical and vocational training programs so workers can earn high living wages without needing a four-year college degree. She secured federal funding to support local job skills training programs.

• Secured federal funding for local technical skills and career training programs.
• Supports investments in modern school buildings, smaller class sizes, and public school teachers.

“Marcy believes that if you’re willing to work hard, then you shouldn’t need a four-year college degree to get a good-paying job.”

“That’s why she is a strong supporter of job training and technical skills programs, and secured funding for a local training program...”

Derek Merrin

Supports school choice expansion and trade career training

Merrin led efforts in Ohio to expand school choice voucher options and spearheaded state budget provisions requiring school counselors to receive training at construction trade facilities to promote trade careers.

• Led legislative efforts to expand school choice in Ohio.
• Spearheaded state budget mandates for school counselors to train at construction trade facilities to promote in-demand jobs.
• Passed HB 371 (Forever Buckeye Program) guaranteeing in-state college tuition access for Ohio GED earners.

“In the state budget, Merrin spearheaded the requirement for school counselors to receive educational training at construction trades facilities to become knowledgeable about in-demand jobs.”

“Derek successfully led efforts to cut the state's income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice.”

Marcy Kaptur

Supports funding local police, first responders, and law enforcement

Kaptur advocates providing direct federal support and resources to local police officers, firefighters, and first responders to ensure community safety. She also authored legislation funding forensic experts to investigate major financial crimes.

• Supports federal funding and equipment for local police departments, firefighters, and first responders.
• Authored legislation authorizing 1,000 forensic investigators for financial crime enforcement.

“We must protect our citizens by supporting local police, firefighters and first responders.”

Derek Merrin

Supports law enforcement, victim restitution, and police union backing

Merrin emphasizes pro-law enforcement policies, passing state legislation to assist fallen officers' families and make financial restitution easier for crime victims. He earned endorsements from local police associations.

• Passed the Anthony Dia Act (HB 760) providing tuition assistance for families of fallen officers.
• Authored the Theft Victims' Restitution Act (HB 66) to help victims recover accounting costs incurred from theft.
• Endorsed by the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association and Toledo Police Command Officers Association.

“Furthermore, his Theft Victims’ Restitution Act (HB 66) made it easier for victims of theft to recover restitution for accounting costs incurred when determining their financial losses.”

Derek Merrin

Supports constitutional carry and Second Amendment rights

Merrin is a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights, having played a key role in enacting permitless constitutional carry in Ohio.

• Played a key role in passing constitutional permitless carry legislation in Ohio.

“He played key roles in the requirement to show photo-ID to vote and to allow Ohioans the constitutional right to carry .”