Tuesday was Primary Day in Ohio, with many races called late in the night, including key races for the U.S. House.
To honor the requirement that Ohio redraw its congressional maps for 2026, a redistricting agreement was reached in October. Of the state’s 15 congressional districts, three were redrawn to affect both Republicans and Democrats, as part of a compromise to avoid a referendum effort.
Which party emerges victorious in November could help determine control of the House—especially when it comes to Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
Ohio’s 9th Congressional District
On Tuesday night, approximately two hours after polls closed, former state Rep. Derek Merrin was declared the winner of the Republican primary in the district. Merrin, who was also the 2024 Republican nominee, emerged victorious from a crowded primary. At 44.1% of the vote, his support was almost 20 points ahead of the second-place finisher, state Rep. Josh Williams.
In 2024, Merrin lost to Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur by 0.7%, while President Donald Trump won that district under the old maps by 7%. Merrin is in a rematch against Kaptur, who has touted her status as the longest-serving woman in the history of the U.S. House. She was first elected in 1982.
The National Republican Congressional Committee seized on Kaptur’s long career and liberal record following the election.
“[The] 40-year career politician Marcy Kaptur has failed Ohioans for decades and Northwest Ohioans are ready for change,” NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon said in a statement. “While Kaptur has pushed a radical far-left agenda of higher taxes, open borders, and sex change surgeries for kids, Derek Merrin is set to flip the seat red in order to deliver commonsense leadership and real results.”
The Cook Political Report considers the race to be a “Toss-Up,” one of 16 total, and the only one in Ohio. Given Kaptur’s narrow reelection last cycle, this is going to be a race to watch, and one almost certainly affected by redistricting. The district covers northwest Ohio, including Toledo. It now favors Republicans by 9%, as reported by the Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio’s 1st Congressional District
Without redistricting, Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman might still be considered vulnerable. He’s even more so under Ohio’s new maps. Although he faced a primary challenger on Tuesday night, Landsman emerged victorious. With 98% of the votes counted, Landsman enjoyed 68% of the vote. This district includes the Cincinnati area and now leans 54-47% for Republicans.
Landsman on X reposted the AP’s race call declaring him the winner.
The congressman has come under particular scrutiny for his opposition to the SAVE America Act and his criticisms of Ohio’s voting system, which other members of the state’s congressional delegation have praised as a model for other states to follow.
Air Force veteran and former CIA officer Eric Conroy emerged victorious on the Republican side, with Conroy garnering 71.9% of the vote. The result was expected: He received an endorsement from President Donald Trump and from Sens. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. Another potential frontrunner, Dr. Steven Erbeck, dropped out.
The NRCC took note of Conroy’s “decisive” victory, with Bannon claiming the matchup “sets Greg Landsman up for his toughest election yet.”
Conroy released a press release as well a post on X Tuesday night. His statement emphasized unity while going after Landsman.
“Starting tomorrow, this is a unified Republican Party with one mission: fire Greg Landsman to restore commonsense leadership to unify around middle-class priorities,” his statement read.
Vice President JD Vance briefly appeared in Cincinnati on Tuesday morning to vote for Conroy in the primary. The Cook Political Report considers Ohio’s 1st Congressional District as “Lean Democratic.”
Ohio’s 13th Congressional District
The redistricted maps did not solely benefit Republicans. As part of an agreement, which supporters consider the best-case scenario, the 13th Congressional District was redrawn to further benefit the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Emilia Sykes. The district, which includes Akron, is now 52-48% Democratic.
While a rematch from 2024 at one point seemed possible between Sykes and Republican Kevin Coughlin, the latter exited the race rather than run under the new maps. Sykes won by just over 2%, while Trump won the 13th Congressional District by 0.4% in 2024.
Several other Republicans did run, however, and Carey Coleman was declared the primary winner amongst the crowded field, with 47.3% of the vote. That race was not called until 10:06 p.m. on Tuesday. Sykes did not face a primary opponent.
The NRCC is involved in this race as well.
“Democrat Emilia Sykes has ditched hardworking Ohioans to prioritize appeasing the radical far-left with her votes in Washington while ensuring vacation time with the Socialist Squad. Carey Coleman is a trusted Ohio voice who has a history of standing up for common sense and will deliver principled, results-driven leadership for the people of Northeast Ohio,” Bannon said.
Sykes has associated with more liberal members of the House, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas. Last July, while at Metallus factory in Akron promoting the One Big Beautiful Bill, Vance called out Sykes and her lack of involvement with the bill.
Cook Political Report regards the race to be “Likely Democratic.” All other Ohio races are considered “Solid Democratic” or “Solid Republican.”
