Biography
Derek Merrin is the Republican nominee for Ohio's 9th Congressional District. He began in local office in Waterville, Ohio, served as an Ohio House member from Lucas County from 2016 to 2024, including as chair of the Health and Ways and Means committees, and was the 2024 Republican nominee for this seat. According to his campaign website, he is running on lower taxes, simplifying the tax code and transparency.[1][2][3]
Merrin was born in Smithtown, New York, moved with his family to Waterville, Ohio, at age 13, and graduated from Monclova Christian Academy in 2005.[1][3] He earned a B.A. from the University of Toledo (2008), a master's in public administration from Bowling Green State University (2009) and a public performance measurement certificate from Rutgers University-Newark.[1][2] He worked as a business owner, realtor and state auditor, including for Ohio Auditor Dave Yost; his campaign website describes him as a real estate investor.[1][2][3]
Merrin joined Waterville City Council at age 19 and was elected mayor of Waterville two years later, serving as mayor from 2008 to 2011, according to his campaign website.[1][2] He entered the Ohio House in 2016, appointed to finish the term of Rep. Barbara Sears after she resigned, and won election to the seat that November. He was re-elected in 2018, 2020 and 2022, representing District 47 and, after redistricting, District 42. He did not run again in 2024 and left office on December 31, 2024.[1][3] He chaired the Ohio House Health Committee (2019-2020) and the Ways and Means Committee (2021-2022), and his campaign website also describes him as an elected leader of the House Republican Caucus. In 2022 he lost the vote for Speaker of the House to Jason Stephens, 54 to 43.[1][2][3] According to his campaign website, bills he sponsored or advanced include the Epinephrine Accessibility Act (HB 101), the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act (HB 214) and a repeal of the sales tax on prescription eyewear (HB 116).[2]
Merrin was the 2024 Republican nominee for this seat and lost to Marcy Kaptur under the previous district lines, 48.3% to 47.6%. He won the May 2026 Republican primary, according to an Associated Press race call reported by 13abc, and faces Kaptur again in November.[1][2][4] According to his campaign website, he lives in Monclova Township.[2]
- 1.Derek Merrin · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Derek Merrin for Congress (Meet Derek) · Derek Merrin for Congress Candidate's own words
- 3.Derek Merrin · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 4.Derek Merrin wins GOP primary for Ohio's 9th congressional district, will face Marcy Kaptur in November · 13abc (WTVG) · 2026-05-05 News report
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
