Below is a more detailed look at all of the candidates voters will get to choose from on their respective ballots during the May 5 primary election for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.
Democrats for Representative to Congress (9th District)
Marcy Kaptur for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
* Kaptur is the only Democrat on her party’s ballot.
Lives in Toledo; from Toledo
Political Experience:
1983-Present U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District
1977-1979 Urban Policy Advisor for the Jimmy Carter (D) administration
1975-1977 Director of Planning at the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs
1969-1975 Urban Planner for the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Education:
1974 Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan
1968 Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin
Professional experience:
1977-1979: Urban Policy Advisor for the Jimmy Carter (D) administration
1975-1977: Director of Planning at the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs
1969-1975: Urban Planner for the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Website and links: marcykaptur.com and kaptur.house.gov
Libertarians for Representative to Congress (9th District)
David Edward Gedert for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Toledo; from Royal Oak, Mich.
Political Experience:
No prior political experience
Volunteerism:
2024-Present Leadership Committee Member with Blood Cancer United
2021-Present Performs at fundraisers for the Humane Society and ALZin, Elders with Alzheimer’s events
2024 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Northwest Ohio Visionaries of the Year
Education:
2001-2003: Undergraduate Degree in English and Literature from the University of Toledo
Professional experience:
2024-Present: Sweet Tea with Sugar (podcast)
2021-Present: Owner of Maybe Cheese Born With It, food truck
2022: Contestant on Season 15 of the Great Food Truck Race with Food Network
2014-2021: Para-Educator for Autism Model School in Toledo
2014-2017: Realtor with Key Realty in Toledo
2013-2014: Real Estate Agent for REMAX Central
2008-2013: Department Manager III for McDonald’s Corporation
Website and links: sugarforohio.com
Matthew Althaus for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Toledo
Political Experience:
No prior political experience
Education:
Bachelor of Business Commerce from Miami University
Associate’s Degree in General Business Administration and Management from Sinclair Community College
Professional experience:
2022-Present: Manufacturing Manager and previously H/E Supervisor for NSG Group in Rossford
2020-2026: Area Manager for Amazon in Toledo
2015-2020: Operations Manager for Unique Tool and Manufacturing in Temperance, Mich.
2011-2015: Inventory Specialist for International Laser Group in San Diego, Calif.
2010-2011: Chief Executive Officer for Smartcarts Inc. in San Diego, Calif.
Website and links: None
Republicans for Representative to Congress (9th District)
Josh Williams for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Sylvania Township; from Toledo
Political Experience:
2023-Present: Ohio House Representative for Ohio’s 44th District
Volunteerism:
2008-Present: Board of Directors Member for South Toledo Area Rec Society
2008-Present: Program Director and Head Football Coach for South Toledo Area Rec Society
Education:
2018-2020: Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Toledo College of Law
2014-2017: Bachelors of Science in Paralegal Studies, Paralegal Studies/Prelaw from the University of Toledo
Professional experience:
2016-Present: Criminal Defense/Personal Injury Associate with Groth and Associates
Website and links: ohiohouse.gov/members/josh-williams and joshwilliamsforohio.com/about
Anthony Bruce Campbell for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Sandusky; from Sandusky
Political Experience:
No prior political experience
Volunteerism:
2025-Present: Found & Board Member of Anthony’s Villa (Social Services)
2025-Present: Founder and President of Anthony B. Campbell Family Foundation (Social Services)
2022-Present: Audio Visual Technician for Grace Community Church
2021-2023: Foster Parent with National Youth Advocate Program
2019-2021: Foster Parent with NewPath Child & Family Solutions (Formerly St. Joseph Orphanage)
2012-2021: Youth Mentor and Humanitarian trips to South Africa and Nepal with Crossroads Church in Cincinnati
Education:
Master of Health Service Administration from Xavier University
Master of Business Administration from Xavier University
Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business/Management from Liberty University
Associates of Science from Bowling Green State University
Professional experience:
2022-Present: Vice President of Data Science & Analyst, previously Data Analyst and Director of Analytics for NOMS Healthcare in Amherst, Ohio
2022-2025: Founder & CEO of Anthony’s Villa in Sandusky
2021-2023: Performance Management Consultant for Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Mich.
2021-2022: Analytics Manager for SpectraMedix in East Windsor, N.J.
2020-2021: Senior Business for Analyst MediSync in Cincinnati
2018-2020: Health Partner Operations Analyst and Population Health Business Intelligence for CareSource in Dayton
Website and links: www.campbell4.us/
Derek Merrin for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Monclova; from Monclova
Political Experience:
2024: Ran for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. Merrin lost to Marcy Kaptur (D), and received 47.6 percent of the vote. Kaptur received 48.3 percent of the vote. Tom Pruss (L) received 4.1 percent of the vote.
2023-2024: Ohio House Of Representatives for Ohio District 42
2016-2022: Ohio House Of Representatives for Ohio District 47
2014-2015: Regional Liaison for the Ohio Auditor of State
2012-2013: Senior Performance Analyst for the Ohio Auditor of State
2008-2011: Mayor of the City of Waterville
2006-2007: Councilman for the City of Waterville
Education:
2012-2014: Public Performance Measurement Certificate from Rutgers University, Newark
2008-2009: Master of Public Administration, International Relations from Bowling Green State University
2005-2008: Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo
Professional experience:
2015-Present: Owner of Merrin Property Holdings, LLC
2013-2017: Realtor with Key Realty in Monclova
Website and links: derekmerrin.com/
Alea Nadeem for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Toledo; from Toledo
Political Experience:
2023-Present: 150th Security Forces Commander for the United States Department of Air Force in Albuquerque, New Mexico
2023: Senate Appropriations Liaison for the United States Department of Air Force in Washington, D.C.
2023-2025: Director of DoorKeepers for the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms in Washington, D.C.
2021-2023: Policy Advisor for the Executive Office of the President in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area
2021: Congressional Budget & Appropriations Liaison for the United States Air Force in Washington, D.C.
2018-2021: Air Force Women’s Initiative Team Chair for the United States Air Force in the Pentagon
2020-2021: Defense Fellow for the United States Senate in Washington, D.C.
Volunteerism:
2019-2025: Board Member for No One Left Behind
Education:
2019-2021: Certificate Program in Legislative Studies, Government Affairs Institute from Georgetown University
2015: Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California
2004-2008: Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of New Mexico
Professional experience:
2023-Present: 150th Security Forces Commander for the United States Department of Air Force in Albuquerque, N.M.
2023: Senate Appropriations Liaison for the United States Department of Air Force in Washington, D.C.
2023-2025: Director of DoorKeepers for the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms in Washington, D.C.
2019-2025: Board Member for No One Left Behind
2021-2023: Policy Advisor for the Executive Office of the President in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area
2021: Congressional Budget & Appropriations Liaison for the United States Air Force in Washington, D.C.
2018-2021: Air Force Women’s Initiative Team Chair for the United States Air Force in the Pentagon
2020-2021: Defense Fellow for the United States Senate in Washington, D.C.
2016-2020: Individual Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations for the 70th Operations Support Squadron at Fort Meade
2013: Intern for the DC Department of Behavioral Health
Website and links: aleaforcongress.com/
Madison Sheahan for Representative to Congress for Ohio’s 9th District
Lives in Columbus; from Curtice, Ohio
Political Experience:
2025-2026: Deputy Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C.
2024-2025: Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in Baton Rouge, La.
2023-2024: Executive Director for the South Dakota Republican Party in Pierre, S.D.
2021-2024: Executive Director for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in Pierre, S.D.
2019-2021: State Election Operations Director for the Ohio Victory Campaign in Columbus
Education:
2015-2019: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs, Public Management, Leadership and Policy from The Ohio State University
Professional experience:
All of Sheahan’s experience intersects with the Government/Politics
Website and links: sheahanforohio.com/
