Derek Merrin
Derek Merrin is the Republican nominee for Ohio's 9th Congressional District. He is a former Ohio House representative from Lucas County who served eight years in the state legislature, including as elected leader of the House Republican Caucus and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.[2]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
On the record — official actions
- vote2022-03-02 · Voted yes on SB 215 (allowing adults 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit), which passed the Ohio House 58-36 on 2022-03-02.[4]
- billAs an Ohio House member, sponsored and passed HB 116 repealing the state sales tax on prescription eyewear, and HB 592 repealing the Financial Institution Tax on Small Business Investment Companies, according to his campaign.[2]
- billSponsored the Epinephrine Accessibility Act (HB 101) and the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act (HB 214), and a bill simplifying the process for homeowners to challenge their property valuations (HB 118), according to his campaign.[2]
- actionChaired the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee in the 134th General Assembly and previously chaired the House Health Committee.[2]
Positions on the issues
- OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
His campaign website says he successfully led efforts to cut Ohio's state income tax and is a strong advocate for lower taxes.[2]
- SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
His campaign website says he led efforts to expand school choice while in the Ohio legislature.[2]
- OpposesStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes
Voted yes on SB 215 (allowing adults 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit), which passed the Ohio House 58-36 on 2022-03-02.[4]
What they say: His campaign website says he played a key role in Ohio's constitutional-carry law allowing Ohioans to carry firearms without a permit.[2]
In their words — priorities
- Says he is a strong advocate for lower taxes, simplifying the tax code, and promoting transparency, citing his role leading efforts in the Ohio legislature to cut the state income tax.[2]
- Says he advocated for policies to reduce health-care costs, promote price transparency, and expand patient access through fewer regulations as chairman of the Ohio House Health Committee.[2]
Background
- Born in Smithtown, New York; earned a B.A. from the University of Toledo (2008) and a master's in public administration from Bowling Green State University (2009).[2]
- Worked as a business owner, realtor and state auditor; served as a councilman and later mayor of the city of Waterville, Ohio.[2]
- Lost the 2024 general election for this seat to Marcy Kaptur under the previous district lines, 48.3%-47.6%.[2]
Campaign money
Raised $1.5M · spent $1.1M · $531K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗