Derek Merrin

Derek Merrin was born in Smithtown, New York. Merrin earned a high school diploma from Monclova Christian Academy in 2005, a B.A. from the University of Toledo in 2008, a master's of public administration from Bowling Green State University in 2009, and a public performance measurement certificate from Rutgers University-Newark. His career experience includes working as a business owner, realtor, and state auditor. Merrin has served as a councilman and mayor of the City of Waterville.[1][2]

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Campaign websiteMerrin's campaign website stated the following:Derek Merrin is a former state representative from Lucas County who served for eight years in the Ohio legislature. He was a conservative lawmaker and elected leader of the Ohio House Republican Caucus. Derek successfully led efforts to cut the state's income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice. He played key roles in the requirement to show photo-ID to vote and to allow Ohioans the constitutional right to carry . Also, Derek captured about 20 legislative victories from sponsored bills and amendments that are making Ohioans lives better.In the 134th General Assembly, Merrin served as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He is a strong advocate for lower taxes, simplifying the tax code, and promoting transparency. He previously served as Chairman of the House Health Committee where he advocated for policies to reduce healthcare costs, promote price transparency, and ensure better patient access through fewer regulations.Merrin successfully repealed the sales tax on prescription eyewear saving taxpayers $45 million annually (HB116) and repealed the Financial Institution Tax on Small Business Investment Companies (HB 592). He prevailed in his pursuit of the Epinephrine Accessibility Act (HB 101) and the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act (HB 214). He also simplified the process for homeowners to challenge their property value (HB 118). Additionally, in 2019, Merrin’s Fuel Tax Transparency Act requiring stickers on fuel pumps displaying the state and federal fuel taxes became law through the Transportation Budget (HB 62).In 2020, Merrin successfully sponsored the Anthony Dia Act (760) making it easier for children and spouses of law enforcement and military service members killed in the line of duty to access college tuition waivers. He also won a victory to expand the Forever Buckeye Program (HB 371) to ensure those earning a GED in Ohio had the same access to in-state tuition benefits that other students had when moving back to Ohio. Furthermore, his Theft Victims’ Restitution Act (HB 66) made it easier for victims of theft to recover restitution for accounting costs incurred when determining their financial losses.In 2021, Merrin successfully changed the law providing Ohioans an option to choose an eight-year driver’s license rather than a four-year license, significantly reducing needed visits to the BMVs throughout Ohio. He also successfully reduced mortgage lenders’ tax burden (HB 150), believed to be the highest in the nation at the time.In 2022, Merrin’s Ballot Uniformity and Transparency Act (HB 140) became law making it easier for voters to understand the fiscal impact of tax and bond levies. He also reformed Ohio’s Board of Revision law (HB 126), which limits the power of local governments to challenge property values to increase property taxes on property owners.In 2023, Merrin succeeded in establishing a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial trailers, which saves time and costs for the state owners of 600,000 trailers (HB23).After a five-year push, Merrin pushed through the Affordable Homebuilding & Housing Act, which blocks property tax increases on subdivided lots until the home is built or lot is sold. In the state budget, Merrin spearheaded the requirement for school counselors to receive educational training at construction trades facilities to become knowledgeable about in-demand jobs. Also, he won on a measure to prohibit municipalities from levying income tax on minors’ income (HB 33).Merrin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toledo and a Master of Public Administration degree from Bowling Green State University.At the age of 19, he became a council member for Waterville City Council, and two years later, at the age of 21, he was elected Mayor of Waterville. He served as Mayor from 2008-2011.Merrin makes his home in Monclova Township. He is an enthusiastic Bengals fan and a real estate investor. He played basketball for his high school, Monclova Christian Academy.— Derek Merrin's campaign website (August 6, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased September 27, 2024

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the Republican nominee for Ohio's 9th Congressional District. I am currently serving as a state representative in the Ohio legislature. I am a conservative lawmaker with 20 legislative victories from sponsored bills and amendments that are making Ohioians lives better daily.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toledo and a Master of Public Administration degree from Bowling Green State University. I live currently in Monclova Township. I'm an enthusiastic Bengals fan and a real estate investor and played basketball for my high school, Monclova Christian Academy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The Biden/Kaptur economic policies are crushing Northwest Ohio families. Kaptur and Biden have instituted a tax-and-spend agenda that has resulted in inflation, outrageous costs at the grocery store, and put future generations of Northwest Ohioans on the hook for a skyrocketing national debt.

As a Member of Congress, I will do everything I can to get America’s fiscal house in order. I support a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget; America should only spend within our means. We must address the high cost of living, reduce Northwest Ohio’s tax burden, and bring American jobs back to America.The reckless open-border policies of Marcy Kaptur and the Biden administration have allowed mass illegal immigration. Marcy Kaptur never met an illegal immigrant she didn't want to give an American job. The Biden and Kaptur policies have created the worst border crisis in American history, flooding our communities with illicit drugs like fentanyl and emboldening criminal cartels.

As a Member of Congress, I will continue to champion a secure border to ensure the safety of Northwest Ohio families. I support sending the military to secure the border to stop drug cartels and human trafficking. Furthermore, we must finish Trump's wall and deport illegal immigrants.Northwest Ohioans deserve to know their Social Security and Medicare benefits will remain secure. In 1983, when Marcy Kaptur first took office, Social Security and Medicare were in a stronger position. Over the past 40 years, Marcy Kaptur has stood by as they have become fragile and at risk of becoming insolvent.

As a Member of Congress, I will protect our earned benefits that provide safety and security to elder Americans. Also, I support removing the federal tax burden on Social Security benefits as well as eliminating the windfall provision that penalizes hardworking Americans.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have successfully led efforts to cut the state's income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Having lived in the Toledo area for nearly three decades, seeing the slow decline of my hometown has given me a desire to bring fresh leadership to Northwest Ohio.

When I leave office, I want to be remembered as someone that fought to bring positive economic change to Ohioans struggling to make ends meet, secure our Southern Border, and protect the social security benefits that secure the futures of millions of hardworking Americans.

More than anything, however, I hope that people look back and say that, before I was a politician or congressman, I was first a Christian, second an American, and third a conservative. Serving in Congress is a call to service, and one that I will take with the utmost respect for our constitution, and the American people.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

While experience is generally a good thing, our system of government was not intended to be life-long career for elected officials.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe we must impose term limits upon Members of Congress to ensure new leadership that reflects the American population. That’s why I’ve signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge to cosponsor and vote for a constitutional amendment that limits members to three House terms. It’s time to challenge the political class and change Washington.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

President Donald J. Trump

Speaker Mike Johnson

The Toledo Police Patrolman's Association

The Toledo Police Command Officers Association

Club for Growth

Republican Jewish Coalition

US Chamber of Commerce

The National Federation of Independent Business

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We must get America’s fiscal house in order. I support a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget; America should only spend within our means. We must address the high cost of living, reduce Northwest Ohio’s tax burden, and bring American jobs back to America.

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