Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
33%
14%
10%
OH-09 Republican nominee?
$82.1K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age40 years old (Jan 4, 1986)
GenderMale
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LocationOhio
BackgroundPolitician
EducationOwens Community College (attended)
Notable personal detailsDerek Scott Merrin is an American politician and Republican who served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2016 to 2025, representing districts covering parts of Lucas and Fulton counties. He previously served on Waterville City Council and was mayor of Waterville (2008–2011). He earned a B.A. from the University of Toledo and an M.P.A. from Bowling Green State University, and also attended Owens Community College. He has run for U.S. House in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, including as the Republican nominee in 2024.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgderekmerrin.comohiohouse.gov13abc.comwikidata.orgdailykos.comlinktr.eeballot.watchwikipedia.chderekholguin.comdccc.orgarxiv.orgdocquery.fec.goveducation.ohio.govwoodcountyohgreenparty.orgatr.orgrepbio.orgballotready.orgfoxnews.comlegiscan.comtheguardian.combmj.comohiocapitaljournal.combuckeyefirearms.orgclubforgrowth.orgapnews.comnfib.comhouse.ohio.govlegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orglalota.house.govdisclosures-clerk.house.govdurbin.senate.govcruz.senate.govkaine.senate.govclerk.house.govstatic.votesmart.orgcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes, simplifying the tax code, tax transparency, and opposes new/increased income taxes; has sponsored and passed legislation reducing or repealing specific taxes and signed a pledge to oppose income tax hikes.
Healthcare
Supports reducing healthcare costs through price transparency and fewer regulations, and has sponsored targeted state-level measures to improve access to specific treatments (for example, epinephrine access) and remove certain taxes on medical-related goods. Emphasizes market-oriented reforms and regulatory relief rather than expanding large public insurance programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes securing the southern border and supports strong enforcement measures, including deporting unauthorized immigrants, finishing construction of a border wall, and using the military to assist border security.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Derek Merrin has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation in the Ohio House that would impose very restrictive limits on abortion, including co-sponsoring a 2019 bill that defined ‘aggravated abortion murder’ and co-leading efforts to advance a six-week ‘heartbeat’ ban. He has been publicly identified as a leading supporter of near-total abortion restrictions in Ohio.
Climate & Energy
Public materials and news coverage show Derek Merrin as a conservative lawmaker focused on tax transparency, lower taxes, and deregulatory policies, but they do not present a clear, specific set of climate or energy policies such as support for aggressive emissions targets or for a fossil-fuel expansion. Available sources describe a 2017 bill on fuel-tax transparency and general conservative priorities on his campaign site and in reporting, without definitive statements for or against major climate policies.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports the constitutional right to carry and has emphasized standing with law enforcement and ensuring they have resources. He has received endorsements from pro-gun and police organizations, indicating a pro-Second Amendment, law-and-order orientation while not advocating expanded gun restrictions in the cited materials.
Polls
OH-09 Republican nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.7M
$1.3M
$861.4K
$430.7K
$0
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2024
$1.7M
$76.7K
$1.6M
$68.6K
Cycle 2026
$814.8K
$227.3K
$664.2K
$39.1K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- News
- Endorsements