Tariffs, jobs debate in close Ohio congressional race

In a redrawn Ohio congressional district, the two opposing candidates have different views on tariffs, taxes and manufacturing. The Ohio legislature approved a new congressional map in October 2025 that would favor Republicans in the midterm elections. The map could flip at least one seat in favor of Republicans but has also elevated the chance of tighter races in other districts throughout the state. One of those districts that could be affected by the mid-decade redraw is U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's ninth congressional district. Kaptur, a Democrat, is running for a 23rd term in Congress after first being elected to the seat in 1982. She will face off against Derek Merrin, a real estate agent and former state representative. Merrin has made Kaptur's age an issue in his bid to flip her seat. "Marcy Kaptur has been in Congress longer than I've been alive," Merrin told a crowd on Thursday at the Republican midterm national convention in Dallas, Texas. "Northwest Ohioans are tired of career politicians who care more about their titles, their power and their career than solving problems for the American people." Kaptur slammed Merrin for attending the Republican convention. She said his attendance betrayed his policy priorities. "While Northwest Ohio families are struggling with rising costs, my opponent flew to Dallas to court wealthy donors, impress Washington insiders, and celebrate the same Billionaire-first agenda making life harder back home," Kaptur wrote on social media. Kaptur has criticized President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. She voted against the "One Big Beautiful Bill" in July 2025 and criticized it as legislation that prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy. "This bill is callously cruel – an immoral transfer of wealth from the working class to the ultra-rich," Kaptur said. "It strips healthcare from 17 million Americans, kills millions of good-paying jobs, and adds trillions to the national debt." Merrin touted the legislation for its provisions to cut taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security payments and slammed Kaptur for voting against it. "Kaptur has never seen a tax she didn't want to levy on the American worker," Merrin said. "We cannot go back to Kaptur and Joe Biden's policies that led to 9% inflation and cost our country millions of jobs." The Democratic congresswoman has also slammed the Trump administration's tariff policies and tied them to rising costs for Ohio families. She estimated tariffs cost an average Ohio household $2,274 since January 2025 and vowed to strip the president of his tariff authorities if elected. "I'm fighting for the industries that power our region, not enacting reckless tariffs that make it harder for them to compete," Kaptur wrote on social media. Merrin has touted his accomplishments as a state legislator in Ohio. He boasted of his effort to repeal federal sales tax on prescription eyeglasses and on small businesses. He also required stickers on fuel pumps to display state and federal taxes. Kaptur has called for stripping tax breaks from corporations and other large businesses and to protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts. "While everyday families struggle, Republicans in Washington are handing out Trillion-dollar tax breaks to Billionaires and big corporations," Kaptur wrote on social media. With more than four decades in Congress, Kaptur has a significant fundraising lead over Merrin, according to the Federal Election Commission. Kaptur has more than $4.3 million in contributions and $3.4 million in cash on hand compared to Merrin with $1.5 million in contributions and $531,000 in cash on hand. Kaptur received $10,000 over the last year from Leidos, $3,500 from the American Soybean Association PAC and $5,000 from the Aerojet Rocketdyne PAC. Merrin received $2,000 from North Carolina Rep. Mark Harris and $5,000 from the Eye of the Tiger PAC. The Cook Political Report ranks Ohio's ninth congressional district as a "toss up," which means either party has a chance to win. Military and overseas absentee ballots in Ohio will be sent out starting on Sept. 18. Domestic absentee ballots will be sent out starting on Oct. 6, the same day early in-person voting begins until the Sunday before Election Day. Polls are open in Ohio from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. For more information, visit the Ohio Secretary of State website, at ohiosos.gov. For more information on candidates and results on Election Day, visit thecentersquare.com/ohio.