Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur claimed victory on Wednesday, securing her 22nd term in the U.S. House of Representatives after a tightly contested race in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
The Associated Press called the race at 1:02 p.m. EST, declaring Kaptur the winner over Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin. With nearly all precincts reporting, Kaptur edged out Merrin with 48.27% of the vote to his 47.63%, a margin of just 2,382 votes.
Libertarian candidate Tom Pruss drew approximately 4% of the vote, further narrowing the competition but more than likely taking votes away from Merrin.
As the longest-serving woman in House history, Kaptur celebrated her victory in a district significantly reshaped by recent redistricting, making it one of the most competitive in the country. Her re-election preserves a Democratic hold on the seat, even as Republicans strengthen their majority in the House.
Derek Merrin, a fourth-term state representative and a strong ally of President-elect Donald Trump, mounted a formidable challenge in a campaign defined by sharp contrasts. With the race now settled, Democrats hold 213 seats in the House, while Republicans, bolstered by gains in other districts, have secured a narrow majority with 218 seats.
At 78, Kaptur was regarded as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in this year’s congressional races. Her campaign for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District was among the most expensive, with total spending surpassing $23 million, according to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization monitoring campaign finances.
Though the race was only officially called on Wednesday, the four-decade congresswoman announced a victory Nov. 6, the day after Election Day.
