2026 Ohio (OH-09) US House Voters Guide

Marcy Kaptur (D) vs Derek Merrin (R)

House of Representatives | Election | Nov 3, 2026

The Candidates

Marcy Kaptur

Marcy Kaptur

Marcy Kaptur

Democrat

Incumbent
Derek Merrin

Derek Merrin

Derek Merrin

Republican

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Legal. Opposes a national abortion ban. “The criminalization of reproductive healthcare must be fought in every instance.” Said the overturning of Roe v. Wade destroyed an “essential freedom.” Voted for a bill that “prohibits governmental restrictions on…abortion services.“

Derek Merrin (R)

Ban. Is “pro-life.” Supported a six-week abortion ban in Ohio in 2019. Sponsored a bill in 2019 to “create the capital offense of aggravated abortion murder and…abortion murder.” In 2017 sponsored a bill prohibiting abortions “because an unborn child has or may have Down Syndrome.”

Share Their Positions

Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Yes. Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, saying it includes “the largest rollback in clean energy investment in U.S. history.” Supports “energy diversity.” In 2019, introduced the 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act “to prevent further climate change.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Likely no. You unleash America’s energy to get energy prices down.” Voted in 2019 for a bill that prioritizes nuclear and coal over renewables an energy efficiency. 

Share Their Positions

Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Introduced a bill to increase grant funding to train rural and small police departments. In 2021 supported ending qualified immunity, which protects officers against lawsuits. In 2024, after “listening to police officers,” reversed that position. Opposes cutting federal funding for law enforcement.

Derek Merrin (R)

Would “work to ensure [law enforcement officers] have the resources and manpower necessary in order to protect Northwest Ohioans.” Supports qualified immunity, which protects officers against lawsuits. Calls for “tougher laws for criminals.” In 2020 sponsored a Stand Your Ground bill.

Share Their Positions

Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Increase. For American workers and manufacturers to succeed…we have to invest in them aggressively.” Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, saying it cuts “the legs out from under working families” and drains “our safety net.” Introduced a bill to separate “the activities of commercial banks and investment banks.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Cut. Would demand “fiscal responsibility.” Sponsored a resolution to “impose fiscal restraints on the federal government.” Says eliminating “a lot of federal mandates” can lead to “a prosperous economy…more jobs” and lower “cost of consumer goods.”

Share Their Positions

Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Likely no. In 2020 supported increased federal funding for public schools. Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes federal tax credits for donations to private school scholarships.

Derek Merrin (R)

Yes. Voted to expand the Ohio EdChoice program which provides state funding for students to attend private school. “School choice is about empowering parents & ensuring students have access to a great education – whether public or private – no matter their parents’ wealth!”

Share Their Positions

Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Tighten. Opposes cuts to Environmental Protection Agency funding. Proposed targeting pollutants to curtail algal blooms in Lake Erie. Supports the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to bring “vital funding to protect our most precious natural resources.” “Respect for Mother Earth must be our North Star.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Loosen. Sponsored a resolution to urge the federal government to repeal Clean Air Act pollution standards. In 2017 voted against expanding Ohio EPA’s role in policing environmental pollution.  

Share Their Positions

Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Tighten. Voted to expand background checks and encourage states to pass red flag laws. Supports restricting “large-capacity assault weapons.” Introduced a bill “to incentivize parents…to purchase firearm safety devices,” and provide “de-escalation training…to local educators.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Loosen. Would “fiercely defend the 2nd Amendment and protect the sacred right to self-defense.” Sponsored a bill allowing concealed carry without background check or firearms training. 

Share Their Positions

Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Increase.Will continue to fight to lower the costs of healthcare.” Supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act “so health care remains a right, not a privilege.” Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, said the cuts to health care “will cause rising costs of health and pharmaceutical coverage for all Ohioans.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Likely decrease. In 2017 sponsored a resolution “to urge Congress…to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act.” Supports “better patient access through fewer regulations.”We need to focus on lowering our prescription drug costs.”    

Share Their Positions

Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Supports “secure borders and legal immigration.” Called for “equitable funding for all border states.” “ICE officers should…wear visible identification, and use body cameras.” In 2020 opposed the Remain in Mexico policy. Supported a path to citizenship for DACA Dreamers.

Derek Merrin (R)

We need tough enforcement mechanisms.” Supports “deporting…criminal illegal immigrants.” Would introduce “a bill that says anyone that receives public assistance has to be a…citizen.” Would withhold “federal funding from [sanctuary cities].” No position found on DACA.

Share Their Positions

Iran

Support the war in Iran?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

No. It is cruel and a stain on our nation.” Says the war is “unconstitutional” and was begun “without any strategy or clear objectives.” “We need to end the war of choice in Iran.” 

Derek Merrin (R)

Yes. I do trust [Trump] on this issue…I hope the conflict with Iran comes to an end here very, very quickly.”

Share Their Positions

Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Easier. Voted for the PRO Act, which would protect organizing rights. Supports collective bargaining for “better working conditions, good health and retirement benefits, and dignity on the job for all workers.” “When unions fight, workers win.”

Derek Merrin (R)

No recent position found. In 2017 sponsored a bill to “remove any requirement under the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Law that public employees join or pay dues to any employee organization.”

Share Their Positions

LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Mostly expand. Voted to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Voted to enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. Voted to require parental consent for elementary and middle school students’ pronoun changes.

Derek Merrin (R)

Limit. Pressed for Ohio to acknowledge only the adoption rights of heterosexual couples. “There’s only two genders.” Opposes gender-affirming care for minors. Sponsored a bill that would require schools to “designate separate single-sex teams and sports for each sex.”

Share Their Positions

Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Yes. Sponsored the “Raise the Wage Act of 2025” to gradually raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2030. “The cost of everything is up, but wages haven’t kept up.”

Derek Merrin (R)

No position found.

Share Their Positions

Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Raise. Voted against extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, calling them “an immoral transfer of wealth from the working class to the ultra-rich.” Supported Inflation Reduction Act for “closing tax loopholes and establishing a minimum corporate tax applied only to the 150 largest corporations.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Likely lower. Supports the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extending of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the largest corporate tax cut in U.S. history. Supported eliminating income taxes in Ohio.

Share Their Positions

Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Marcy Kaptur (D)

Easier. Voted against the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship from anyone registering to vote in a federal election. Supports mail-in ballots. “The right to vote is our most sacred…civic responsibility.” Supports “free, equal, and fair access to the ballot box.”

Derek Merrin (R)

Harder. Supports the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship from anyone registering to vote in federal elections. Sponsored a bill that limited acceptable forms of voter ID and reduced vote-by-mail options, and allowed one ballot drop box per county.

Share Their Positions

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We include candidates polling 15% or more. Check out others including Matthew Althaus (L). Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.

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Marcy Kaptur

democratic Party

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Derek Merrin

republican Party

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Marcy Kaptur

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Derek Merrin

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See guides.vote for online guides with links & sourceshttps://marcykaptur.com/https://www.derekmerrin.com/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Legal. Opposes a national abortion ban. “The criminalization of reproductive healthcare must be fought in every instance.” Said the overturning of Roe v. Wade destroyed an “essential freedom.” Voted for a bill that “prohibits governmental restrictions on…abortion services.“Ban. Is “pro-life.” Supported a six-week abortion ban in Ohio in 2019. Sponsored a bill in 2019 to “create the capital offense of aggravated abortion murder and…abortion murder.” In 2017 sponsored a bill prohibiting abortions “because an unborn child has or may have Down Syndrome.”
Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Yes. Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, saying it includes “the largest rollback in clean energy investment in U.S. history.” Supports “energy diversity.” In 2019, introduced the 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act “to prevent further climate change.” Likely no. You unleash America’s energy to get energy prices down.” Voted in 2019 for a bill that prioritizes nuclear and coal over renewables an energy efficiency. 
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Introduced a bill to increase grant funding to train rural and small police departments. In 2021 supported ending qualified immunity, which protects officers against lawsuits. In 2024, after “listening to police officers,” reversed that position. Opposes cutting federal funding for law enforcement. Would “work to ensure [law enforcement officers] have the resources and manpower necessary in order to protect Northwest Ohioans.” Supports qualified immunity, which protects officers against lawsuits. Calls for “tougher laws for criminals.” In 2020 sponsored a Stand Your Ground bill.
Economy

Cut or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Increase. For American workers and manufacturers to succeed…we have to invest in them aggressively.” Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, saying it cuts “the legs out from under working families” and drains “our safety net.” Introduced a bill to separate “the activities of commercial banks and investment banks.”Cut. Would demand “fiscal responsibility.” Sponsored a resolution to “impose fiscal restraints on the federal government.” Says eliminating “a lot of federal mandates” can lead to “a prosperous economy…more jobs” and lower “cost of consumer goods.”
Education

Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Likely no. In 2020 supported increased federal funding for public schools. Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes federal tax credits for donations to private school scholarships. Yes. Voted to expand the Ohio EdChoice program which provides state funding for students to attend private school. “School choice is about empowering parents & ensuring students have access to a great education - whether public or private - no matter their parents’ wealth!”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Tighten. Opposes cuts to Environmental Protection Agency funding. Proposed targeting pollutants to curtail algal blooms in Lake Erie. Supports the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to bring “vital funding to protect our most precious natural resources.” “Respect for Mother Earth must be our North Star.” Loosen. Sponsored a resolution to urge the federal government to repeal Clean Air Act pollution standards. In 2017 voted against expanding Ohio EPA’s role in policing environmental pollution.  
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun laws?

Tighten. Voted to expand background checks and encourage states to pass red flag laws. Supports restricting “large-capacity assault weapons.” Introduced a bill “to incentivize parents…to purchase firearm safety devices,” and provide “de-escalation training…to local educators.” Loosen. Would “fiercely defend the 2nd Amendment and protect the sacred right to self-defense.” Sponsored a bill allowing concealed carry without background check or firearms training. 
Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for health care?

Increase.Will continue to fight to lower the costs of healthcare.” Supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act “so health care remains a right, not a privilege.” Voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, said the cuts to health care “will cause rising costs of health and pharmaceutical coverage for all Ohioans.”Likely decrease. In 2017 sponsored a resolution “to urge Congress…to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act.” Supports “better patient access through fewer regulations.”We need to focus on lowering our prescription drug costs.”    
Immigration

How to handle immigration?

Supports “secure borders and legal immigration.” Called for “equitable funding for all border states.” “ICE officers should…wear visible identification, and use body cameras.” In 2020 opposed the Remain in Mexico policy. Supported a path to citizenship for DACA Dreamers.We need tough enforcement mechanisms.” Supports “deporting…criminal illegal immigrants.” Would introduce “a bill that says anyone that receives public assistance has to be a…citizen.” Would withhold “federal funding from [sanctuary cities].” No position found on DACA.
Iran

Support the war in Iran?

No. It is cruel and a stain on our nation.” Says the war is “unconstitutional” and was begun “without any strategy or clear objectives.” “We need to end the war of choice in Iran.” Yes. I do trust [Trump] on this issue…I hope the conflict with Iran comes to an end here very, very quickly.”
Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Easier. Voted for the PRO Act, which would protect organizing rights. Supports collective bargaining for “better working conditions, good health and retirement benefits, and dignity on the job for all workers.” “When unions fight, workers win.”No recent position found. In 2017 sponsored a bill to “remove any requirement under the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Law that public employees join or pay dues to any employee organization.”
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Mostly expand. Voted to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Voted to enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. Voted to require parental consent for elementary and middle school students’ pronoun changes. Limit. Pressed for Ohio to acknowledge only the adoption rights of heterosexual couples. “There’s only two genders.” Opposes gender-affirming care for minors. Sponsored a bill that would require schools to “designate separate single-sex teams and sports for each sex.”
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Yes. Sponsored the “Raise the Wage Act of 2025” to gradually raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2030. “The cost of everything is up, but wages haven’t kept up.”No position found.
Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Raise. Voted against extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts, calling them “an immoral transfer of wealth from the working class to the ultra-rich.” Supported Inflation Reduction Act for “closing tax loopholes and establishing a minimum corporate tax applied only to the 150 largest corporations.”Likely lower. Supports the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extending of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the largest corporate tax cut in U.S. history. Supported eliminating income taxes in Ohio.
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Easier. Voted against the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship from anyone registering to vote in a federal election. Supports mail-in ballots. “The right to vote is our most sacred…civic responsibility.” Supports “free, equal, and fair access to the ballot box.”Harder. Supports the SAVE America Act, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship from anyone registering to vote in federal elections. Sponsored a bill that limited acceptable forms of voter ID and reduced vote-by-mail options, and allowed one ballot drop box per county.

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