Who is running for U.S. House District 9 in Ohio in 2026?

Marcy Kaptur (D), Derek Merrin (R)

When is the Ohio 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ohio › Races › U.S. House District 9

U.S. House District 9 — Ohio 2026

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Ohio Secretary of State list, as of October 29, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

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Candidates

FMarcy KapturDemocratic

U.S. Representative for Ohio's 9th District (incumbent since 1983); Democrat.

LifeFFamilyFReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tDFiscalF

Rated F by SBA Pro-Life America and NRA-PVF, voted for the Respect for Marriage Act and against H.R. 28, with a 4% lifetime Club for Growth score.

Life: Rated F by SBA Pro-Life America.
Family: Voted yes on the Respect for Marriage Act (2022) and no on H.R. 734 (2023) and H.R. 28 (2025).
Religious liberty: No specific position found.
2nd Amendment: Rated F by NRA-PVF for 2026.
Limited gov’t: No specific position found. Party default.
Fiscal: Club for Growth score of 6% (2025), 4% lifetime.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

BDerek MerrinRepublican

Former state representative; Republican nominee for U.S. House District 9.

LifeAFamilyAReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentALimited gov’tBFiscalB

Recommended by Ohio Right to Life PAC and endorsed (A) by NRA-PVF; voted for the Heartbeat Act, HB 68 and permitless carry as a state representative.

Life: Voted yes on the Heartbeat Act (SB 23, 2019) and earlier heartbeat bills (HB 493, HB 258) as a state representative; recommended by Ohio Right to Life PAC.
Family: Voted yes on HB 68 (minors' gender-transition procedures ban and girls' sports) in 2023 and on the January 2024 veto override.
Religious liberty: No specific position found. iVoterGuide rates him Conservative.
2nd Amendment: Rated A and endorsed by NRA-PVF; voted yes on permitless carry (SB 215), HB 99 and HB 228.
Limited gov’t: No limited-government scorecard captured.
Fiscal: No specific position found. Party default.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Campaign site Ballotpedia

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