Republican Derek Merrin launches bid for rematch against Rep. Marcy Kaptur
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A potential rematch for one of the nation's most hotly contested House seats, representing Ohio's 9th Congressional District, could be in the works for 2026.
That's after Republican Derek Merrin, a former four-term Republican state representative, announced Monday that he plans to try again to defeat Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress .
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
30 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Republicans Push DHS on Gang Threat: 'Prevent Further Violence'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new bill from House Republicans would force the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a threat assessment focused on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act, introduced by Representative Brad Knott of North Carolina, would direct DHS to assess potential threats posed by members of the crime syndicate on the southwest, northern and maritime borders. It would also require the agency to develop a strategic response plan based on the findings of that assessment. "I am proud to lead this legislation to bolster the Trump administration's efforts to identify and combat threats from this transnational criminal organization and prevent further violence," Knott told Newsweek in an exclusive statement. Republican Representative Brad Knott of North Carolina posing for a portrait on the steps of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 2024. Republican Representative Brad Knott of North Carolina posing for a portrait on the steps of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 2024. Angelina Katsanis/POLITICO via AP Images Why It Matters TdA, a transnational criminal organization formed in a Venezuelan prison, focuses on human trafficking and other abuses targeting vulnerable migrants. The gang made headlines during the 2024 election campaign after a viral video showed armed gang members storming an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. In February, Trump signed an executive order designating Mexican drug cartels and other Latin American groups, including TdA and MS-13, as terrorist organizations. The president's order said the groups threatened "the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere." What To Know The legislation requires the secretary of homeland security to submit a detailed threat assessment on the criminal organization's activities and risks at U.S. borders within one year of the bill's enactment. This assessment would cover its origins, structure, methods and presence in the U.S. Within 180 days of submitting the assessment, the secretary must provide a strategic plan to counter the threats, focusing on coordination between federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to detect, disrupt and prevent the group's operations in the United States. The reports would be submitted to key congressional committees overseeing homeland security. Representative Mark Green of Tennessee, the chair of the GOP-led Committee on Homeland Security, has backed the bill. "I commend Rep. Knott for leading legislation that will ensure DHS has the right intelligence and preparation to keep accomplishing this mission and protect our communities," Green told Newsweek. Some Republicans believe that individuals affiliated with TdA have taken advantage of the Biden-Harris administration's border policies and parole programs to enter the United States. They also believe that additional measures are necessary to address the threats associated with the gang. In February, federal authorities arrested a suspected member of the TdA during a raid in Raleigh, North Carolina. On February 8, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended 24-year-old Venezuelan national Ricardo Granadillo-Padilla. He was wanted on federal charges related to illegally entering the United States three years earlier, according to a statement the agency released. Customs and Border Protection apprehended 106 TdA members nationwide between March 2023 to May 2025, the agency's data showed. According to a report by Telemundo, an American Spanish-language television network, the gang is believed to have about 5,000 members and makes annual profits of between $10 million and $15 million. TdA is accused of smuggling women and girls for sexual exploitation. The gang has been connected to a series of high-profile crimes in the U.S. José Antonio Ibarra, the man sentenced to prison for the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, is a documented member. In February, the Trump administration accused hundreds of migrants of being members of TdA and MS-13, citing tattoos as evidence. Individuals were detained and swiftly deported under the Alien Enemies Act to El Salvador's notorious super prison, despite questions about the gang's actual presence and coordination in the U.S. Immigration advocates have criticized the deportations as politically motivated and lacking due process. ICE has acknowledged that many of the migrants deported had no criminal records. What People Are Saying Representative Brad Knott, a Republican from North Carolina, told Newsweek: "As a former federal prosecutor, I worked with law enforcement to fight foreign criminals of every type. This included drug cartels, human traffickers, and gang members who came to our country illegally to enrich themselves through crime. I saw firsthand how the previous administration's efforts to fully open our borders empowered these criminals to wreak havoc on our country. The Biden-Harris administration endangered all Americans by opening the door for members of the gang and designated terrorist group Tren de Aragua to overrun our country—from North Carolina and Tennessee to Colorado. But their reign of terror is coming to an end." Representative Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, told Newsweek: "The sadistic gang Tren de Aragua was allowed to take advantage of our country under the Biden-Harris administration's reckless, open-borders policies and mass-parole schemes—committing heinous acts of violence from Denver and Raleigh to Nashville. No American should have to live in fear of a transnational criminal organization in their communities, and I am grateful the Trump administration has empowered our federal law enforcement to dismantle the operations of TdA on U.S. soil." What Happens Next The bill is set to make its way through the legislative process and will likely pass in the Republican-controlled Congress.
Bloomberg
36 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Pressure to Seal Trump Trade Deals Ramps Up With Two Weeks to Go
Two weeks from President Donald Trump's self-imposed deadline to reach deals with the US's major trading partners, some of the most-watched talks aimed at clinching agreements to avoid higher tariffs are struggling to get over the finish line. There's a lot at stake: As of July 9, exporting nations without a bilateral accord in place will face Trump's so-called 'Liberation Day' tariffs that are much higher than the current baseline 10% level applied to most countries.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
South Korea's Trade Chief Seeks Tariff Relief in First US Talks
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea reiterated its call to be exempted from US tariffs including duties affecting key industries such as cars and steel, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said after his first meeting with US counterparts since taking up his position. Bezos Wedding Draws Protests, Soul-Searching Over Tourism in Venice US State Budget Wounds Intensify From Trump, DOGE Policy Shifts Taxi Wars Put Johannesburg Commuters in Peril as Rail Flounders Yeo held talks on Monday with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, according to a government statement. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to swiftly reaching a mutually beneficial agreement, without giving a specific timeline. Yeo said South Korea's new administration, backed by a strong democratic mandate, is now in a position to advance negotiations that had previously stalled due to political gridlock. He added that discussions should move beyond tariffs to include broader cooperation in manufacturing and advanced technologies. South Korea, a key US ally and major manufacturing hub for cars, semiconductors, and batteries, has seen its companies caught in the crosshairs of US tariffs. The Trump administration imposed one of the highest across-the-board levies among its allies on the Asian country, though the 25% tariff is on hold until July 9, as various countries negotiate a trade deal with the US. The meetings come at a pivotal moment as new President Lee Jae Myung seeks to revive an economy buffeted by tariff uncertainty. South Korea's export-reliant economy has been hit by US President Donald Trump's levies, with the central bank slashing 2025 GDP growth forecast to 0.8% from 1.5%. Yeo also conveyed South Korean industry's concerns about recent developments in US export control policy. US export controls have become a key issue in trade negotiations, as Washington tightens restrictions on technology transfers to competitors such as China. These measures often ripple across global supply chains—impacting allies like South Korea that are deeply integrated into high-tech manufacturing. --With assistance from Shinhye Kang. Luxury Counterfeiters Keep Outsmarting the Makers of $10,000 Handbags Is Mark Cuban the Loudmouth Billionaire that Democrats Need for 2028? Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Can 'MAMUWT' Be to Musk What 'TACO' Is to Trump? What Mike Tyson and the Bond Market Can Teach Trump on Debt ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
