It appears that Madison Sheahan, the Deputy Director of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), is resigning to run for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. Fox News’ Bill Melugin broke the story on X on Thursday.
Sheahan’s campaign launch announcement.https://t.co/lFD5Jp8dkF
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 15, 2026
More details have appeared on the main Fox News website as well.
Madison Sheahan, the deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is resigning from her role to run for Congress in Ohio, multiple federal law enforcement sources told Fox News.
The announcement was made internally this morning, the sources added. Sheahan is running for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, currently represented by Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who assumed office in 1983 and is the longest serving woman in Congress. Kaptur was re-elected in November 2024, despite many of the counties in the district voting in favor of President Donald Trump that year.
This would seem, on the surface, to be something of a long-shot bid; OH-09 has been represented by Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) since 1983. The district spans much of northern Ohio, from the southern Detroit suburbs, including Sandusky County, to the Indiana state line. Even so, after decades representing the district, Rep. Kaptur won re-election in the 2024 elections by a narrow margin, 48.3 to 47.6 against Republican challenger Derek Merrin. This may be a chance for a GOP pickup.
“No Excuses. Let’s Get It Done,” read a message on Sheahan’s campaign website. “Former ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan is fighting to protect American jobs, American paychecks, and American values in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.”
“For too long, Northwest Ohio has been represented by a career politician who has grown comfortable with the swamp and disconnected from the people back home,” Sheahan said in a statement. “I am running because President Trump deserves a Congress that stands firmly behind his agenda, and Ohio deserves an elected Representative that will make America safer, more affordable, and more prosperous.”
Sheahan’s now-former boss is sounding a supportive tone.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement Thursday, “I’ve known her for years, she loves her family, Ohio and her country. She will be a great defender of freedom when she goes to Congress.”
“Madison Sheahan is a work horse, strong executor, and terrific leader who led the men and women of ICE to achieve the American people’s mandate to target, arrest, and deport criminal illegal aliens. We wish her all the best,” Noem added.
Madison Sheahan likely won’t be the last Trump administration official to seek an elected office. The 2026 midterms are just getting started.
Read More: Safety First: Massive Arrests Now Targeting Illegal Alien Truck Threats
Deputy ICE Dir. Has a Damning Question for Voters After Another Democrat ‘Interferes’ With Agents
Sheahan has played a key role in ICE operations since her appointment. During her tenure, ICE grew from 20,000 to 30,000 agents and employees. Before coming to ICE, Sheahan worked as the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Sheahan is originally from Curtice, Ohio, and attended the Genoa Area High School there before attending the Ohio State University, from which she earned a Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, public management, leadership, policy, and agri-business.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump, illegal immigration into our great country has virtually stopped. Despite the radical left’s lies, new legislation wasn’t needed to secure our border, just a new president.
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