It was a race that tested both the resilience of a veteran legislator and the sway of a former president’s endorsement. Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur emerged victorious on Wednesday, securing her 22nd term in the U.S. House of Representatives after a closely fought contest in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
The Associated Press called the race at 1:02 p.m. EST on Wednesday, declaring Kaptur the winner over her Republican challenger, Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin. With nearly all precincts reporting, Kaptur held a narrow lead, securing 48.27% of the vote to Merrin’s 47.63%, a margin of just 2,382 votes. Libertarian candidate Tom Pruss garnered approximately 4%, further tightening the contest.
Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the history of the House, celebrated her victory in a district that was dramatically redrawn during the last round of redistricting, making it one of the most competitive in the nation. Her re-election ensures a Democratic hold on the district, even as Republicans solidify their majority in the House.
Merrin, a fourth-term state representative and a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, posed a formidable challenge in a campaign marked by sharp contrasts. With the election now decided, Democrats hold 213 seats in the House,