U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Endorses Derek Merrin for Congress

MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP, OH - Today, Derek Merrin, Republican nominee for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, announced that the Toledo Police Command Officers Association and Toledo Police Patrolman's Association have both endorsed his candidacy. "I applaud Toledo's law enforcement officers for putting their lives on the line everyday for the safety and security of everyone in our community. Marcy Kaptur has repeatedly undercut our police by her words and actions. While Marcy Kaptur believes that policing needs to be reimagined and supports legislation to end qualified immunity for police, I will stand by our law enforcement officers. I’m honored to have their support and look forward to continuing to work to ensure they have the resources and manpower necessary in order to protect Northwest Ohioans," said Derek Merrin, Republican nominee for Ohio's 9th Congressional District. "The City of Toledo is not a safer place with Marcy Kaptur representing us. It is time for a change. Northwest Ohioans need a candidate who stands with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of every resident, as well as someone who will be able to lead Ohio’s 9th district for years to come. That's why the Toledo Police Command Officers' Association is proud to support Derek Merrin for Congress." - Sgt. Daniel Raab, President of the Toledo Police Command Officers' Association.  "Police Officers across the nation have an exacting and unforgiving job. We face a multitude of challenges that are unique in both our professional and personal lives. Now more than ever it is crucial for police officers to have the support of their local and national leaders. Derek Merrin recognizes the challenges we face and will work to ensure we have the resources and manpower to protect and serve the community. The Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association endorses the candidacy of nominee Derek Merrin for the 9th Congressional District because he is committed to help police officers in their effort to keep the citizens of Ohio and the nation safe." - Michael Haynes, President of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association. NOTE: In the 117th Congress, Rep. Kaptur co-sponsored the End Qualified Immunity Act . Rep. Kaptur said that "public safety must be re-imagined," in 2021 . ###

MONCLOVA TOWNSHIP, OH - Today, Derek Merrin, Republican nominee for Ohio's 9th Congressional District, released the following statement after Rep. Marcy Kaptur voted against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which would prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections: "Marcy Kaptur voted against requiring proof of citizenship to participate in our federal elections, undermining our democratic voting process. The Kaptur/Biden agenda has put policies in place to allow mass illegal immigration thus creating the worst border crisis in American history, flooding our communities with illicit drugs like fentanyl and emboldening criminal cartels. As one of the leaders of Ohio's photo ID requirement law, once elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, I will continue to champion the integrity of our elections and the need to secure our border to ensure the safety of Northwest Ohio families." NOTE: Merrin championed House Bill 458 , Ohio's photo ID requirement law to ensure election integrity. The measure was signed into law on January 6, 2023 and became effective law of the state on April 7, 2023. ###

“Derek Merrin is an incredible America First Patriot” LUCAS COUNTY – Today, the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, officially endorsed State Representative Derek Merrin for his campaign for Congress in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. “Derek Merrin is an incredible America First Patriot who is running for Congress in Ohio's 9th Congressional District against a RINO, Craig Riedel, who is no friend of MAGA,” said President Trump on Truth Social. “As your next Congressman, Derek will fight hard to Secure our Border, Stop Inflation, Support our Military / Vets, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment. Derek Merrin has my Complete and Total Endorsement - He will not let you down!” “I am honored to receive the endorsement from President Donald Trump. Together, we will defeat the Biden/Kaptur agenda that has been failing Northwest Ohio communities for far too long,” said Representative Merrin. “Under President Trump, our border was more secure, he unleashed our nation’s economy, communities in Northwest Ohio were safer, and our country was more free. This November, we will fight relentlessly to re-elect President Trump and retire Marcy Kaptur." Visit derekmerrin.com to sign up and donate to Derek’s campaign for Congress. About Derek: Derek Merrin has represented Northwest Ohio in the Statehouse since 2016, when he first won a three-way Republican primary to earn his seat. He currently represents the 42nd District, which is located within Lucas County – the largest county in the 9th Congressional District. In 2022, Merrin was soundly re-elected in a Democrat-leaning district by running a strong grassroots campaign that drew support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. He outperformed the political index by about 7 points. In the Ohio Statehouse, Merrin has served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Health Committee. He has advocated and passed bills that lowered taxes, simplified our tax code, promoted transparency, reduced healthcare costs, and cut regulations to ensure better patient access to healthcare. 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 the City of Waterville, and two years later, at the age of 21, he was elected as one of the youngest mayors in Ohio for Waterville. He served as Mayor from 2008-2011. Merrin makes his home in Monclova Township. # # # Contact: press@derekmerrin.com

“A true conservative fighter for Lucas County and Northwest Ohio” LUCAS COUNTY – Today, the Lucas County Republican Party officially endorsed State Representative Derek Merrin for the Republican nomination for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. “As a true conservative fighter for Lucas County and Northwest Ohio, Derek Merrin has our full endorsement for Congress. Derek has a proven record winning tough races in Lucas County. He has the grit, skills, and possesses the resources necessary to defeat Marcy Kaptur,” said Chris Joseph, Lucas County Republican Party Chairman. Chairman Joseph continued, “The Republican nominee must hold the line in Lucas County, which is why Derek Merrin should be the Republican nominee – he lives here and has a built-in network. Lucas County is the battleground. The last person Marcy Kaptur wants as an opponent is Derek Merrin. The Lucas County Republican Party is pleased to recommend and endorse Derek Merrin for the 9th Congressional District’s Congressman.” “Being from Lucas County, I consider it a tremendous honor to have the support of the county party. I have lived in Lucas County for the last 30 years, and I’m ready to fight for my neighbors that are being crushed by the heavy and misguided hand of Washington!” said Representative Derek Merrin. Merrin continued, “I have a proven record standing up against the established political class in Ohio, and I look forward to bringing that same courage to Congress. I will fight to uphold the Constitution, balance the budget, secure our borders, protect the U.S. dollar from further devaluation, and enact Congressional term limits.” Visit derekmerrin.com to sign up and donate to Derek’s campaign for Congress. About Derek: Derek Merrin has represented Northwest Ohio in the Statehouse since 2016, when he first won a three-way Republican primary to earn his seat. He currently represents the 42nd District, which is located within Lucas County – the largest county in the 9th Congressional District. In 2022, Merrin was soundly re-elected in a Democrat-leaning district by running a strong grassroots campaign that drew support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. He outperformed the political index by about 7 points. In the Ohio Statehouse, Merrin has served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Health Committee. He has advocated and passed bills that lowered taxes, simplified our tax code, promoted transparency, reduced healthcare costs, and cut regulations to ensure better patient access to healthcare. 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 the City of Waterville, and two years later, at the age of 21, he was elected as one of the youngest mayors in Ohio for Waterville. He served as Mayor from 2008-2011. Merrin makes his home in Monclova Township. # # # Contact: press@derekmerrin.com

LUCAS COUNTY – State Representative Derek Merrin, leader of the Ohio House Republicans, is leading the charge to override Governor DeWine’s veto of HB 68. “I strongly support overriding the Governor’s outrageous veto of HB 68, which I co-sponsored,” said Representative Merrin . “The bill protects minors from permanent, life-altering surgeries from the radical transgender movement pressuring our youth. The bill also protects women’s sports by stopping men forcing their way onto women’s sports teams and dominating the competition.” The Ohio House of Representatives will vote on the overriding the Governor’s veto on January 19. Representative Merrin is rallying his colleagues to vote for the override and to protect the rights of our youth and women’s sports. Visit derekmerrin.com to sign up and donate to Derek’s campaign for Congress. About Derek: Derek Merrin has represented Northwest Ohio in the Statehouse since 2016, when he first won a three-way Republican primary to earn his seat. He currently represents the 42 nd District, which is located within Lucas County – the largest county in the 9 th Congressional District. In 2022, Merrin was soundly re-elected in a Democrat-leaning district by running a strong grassroots campaign that drew support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. He outperformed the political index by about 7 points. In the Ohio Statehouse, Merrin has served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Health Committee. He has advocated and passed bills that lowered taxes, simplified our tax code, promoted transparency, reduced healthcare costs, and cut regulations to ensure better patient access to healthcare. 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 the City of Waterville, and two years later, at the age of 21, he was elected as one of the youngest mayors in Ohio for Waterville. He served as Mayor from 2008-2011. Merrin makes his home in Monclova Township. ### Contact: press@derekmerrin.com