TOLEDO | Hakeem Jeffries Campaigns With Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Toledo as Ohio’s 9th District Race Heats Up

Author: FFP Ai Bot

U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York campaigned in Toledo on Sunday alongside Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the Democrat who has represented Ohio’s 9th Congressional District for decades, as both parties fight over one of the most closely watched House races in the country.

The two attended church services in Toledo together, according to The Associated Press. Kaptur is facing a rematch with Republican Derek Merrin, a former state representative she defeated narrowly in 2024. The election is Nov. 3.

What Jeffries said

Jeffries told the AP that the election climate is “holding firm” for Democrats and that he has campaigned in about 50 cities for the party’s candidates. He said House Republicans are “divorced from reality” if they expect a repeat of 2024, when Republicans won the White House and kept control of Congress.

Jeffries, who would be in line to become speaker if Democrats win the House, also criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Russia. He said there would be a bipartisan push in the House for a new sanctions package the president could not waive. Kaptur is founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, and the Toledo area has a large Ukrainian American community.

“We work very hard,” Kaptur, 80, told the AP. “We don’t just work at elections. We work to make a difference in the lives of people.” Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the House, was hurt in a car crash in August while riding as a passenger, and has said she has recovered.

The Republican side

Trump carried the 9th District, and Republicans see it as one of their best chances to flip a Democratic seat. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned with Merrin earlier this month, and The Blade reported national Republicans were preparing to put more money into the race.

Merrin’s campaign had not publicly responded to Jeffries’ visit as of Sunday evening. At recent events, Merrin has urged voters to give Republicans a congressional majority. “Let’s get President Trump the majority in Congress that he needs to finish the job,” he said at a rally, as quoted by The Blade. Democrats, including the Ohio Democratic Party, have criticized Merrin for campaigning outside the district.

Voters can check registration and early voting information through the Ohio Secretary of State.

Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/house-democrats-jeffries-kaptur-ohio-midterm-election-1adbcdad25f63e7bdf4a52bd88a7be8b
https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/jeffries-likes-democrats-chances-race-house-campaigns-ohio-137367095
https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2026/10/08/u-s-house-speaker-to-campaign-with-merrin-and-highlight-local-pro-data-center-ma/stories/20261007103
https://ohiodems.org/derek-merrin-campaigns-everywhere-but-northwest-ohio/
https://kaptur.house.gov/
https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/