Summary
Derek Merrin is an American politician serving as the state representative for the 42nd District Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican. The district includes western Lucas County, south Toledo, Maumee and Springfield Township.
Born: 1986 (age 38 years)
Party: Republican Party
Office: Ohio State Representative since 2023
Education: Bowling Green State University (2008–2009), The University of Toledo (2005–2008)
Candidate for: 2024 Ohio Member of the US House elections which Merrin lost.
Previous campaigns: Ohio House of Representatives District 42 general Election, 2022, MORE
Previous office: Ohio State Representative (2016–2022)
OnAir Post: Derek Merrin
About
Source: Campaign Site
Derek Merrin is a state representative from Lucas County serving his fourth term in the Ohio legislature. He is a conservative lawmaker and elected leader of the Ohio House Republican Caucus. Derek has successfully led efforts to cut the state’s income tax, reduce regulations, and expand school choice. He played key roles in the passage of the Heartbeat Bill, Constitutional Carry Bill, and requirement to show photo-ID to vote. Also, Derek has captured about 20 legislative victories from sponsored bills and amendments that are making Ohioians lives better daily.
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Merrin successfully repealed the sales tax on prescription eyewear saving taxpayers $45 million annually (HB116) and repealed the Financial Institution Tax on Small Business Investment Companies (HB 592).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).
“For the last 7 years, I have led the fight for conservative values at the Ohio Statehouse. Now, I’m ready to take the fight to Washington – defending our constitutional rights, demanding fiscal responsibility, and bolstering Northwest Ohio’s economy.”
-Derek
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.
Web Links
Politics
Source: Wikipedia
With Representative Barbara Sears term-limited in 2016, Merrin entered the race to succeed her. He won a three-way primary against Republicans Vicki Donovan-Lyle and Kevin Haddad, with over 45% of the vote.
Sears resigned from the seat before the end of her term to take a position in the administration of Ohio Governor John Kasich. As the winner of the Republican primary, Ohio House Republicans led by Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger appointed Merrin to serve the remainder of Sears’ term.[10] He was sworn into office on August 2, 2016, and won the ensuing general election over Democrat Lauri Cooper. Merrin was re-elected in 2018 and 2020, with nearly 60% of the vote each time. Following re-districting, Merrin’s district was made substantially more Democratic, losing conservative western Lucas County while adding parts of the city of Toledo and inner ring suburbs. Despite this, Merrin carried the Democrat-leaning (D+2) 47th House District by nearly eight points, 53.9%-46.1% over Democrat Erika White.
In 2022, Merrin lost the Speaker election to Jason Stephens, who had bipartisan support, by 54 to 43 votes.
New Legislation
Issues
For the last 7 years, I have led the fight for conservative values at the Ohio Statehouse. Now, I’m ready to take the fight to Washington – defending our constitutional rights, demanding fiscal responsibility, and bolstering Northwest Ohio’s economy.”
More Information
Wikipedia
Derek Scott Merrin[1] (born January 4, 1986) is an American politician serving as the state representative for the 42nd District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican. The district includes western Lucas County, south Toledo, Maumee, and Springfield Township. He was the Republican nominee for Ohio’s 9th congressional district in 2024, where he was defeated by incumbent Marcy Kaptur.
Life and career
Merrin was born in Smithtown, New York on Long Island, and moved to Waterville, Ohio, with his family when he was thirteen years old.[2] His father, Russ Merrin, was a public-school teacher and pastored Monclova Road Baptist Church for twenty-three years. Merrin’s mother, Norma, was a registered nurse. Merrin is a graduate of Monclova Christian Academy. In addition, Merrin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toledo and a Master of Public Administration degree from Bowling Green State University. He attended Owens Community College before transferring to UT.[3]
Merrin was elected to the Waterville City Council, a city of just over 6000 people, at the age of nineteen.[4] Two years later, he was elected Mayor. Along with his time in public office, Merrin previously worked for Ohio Auditor Dave Yost.[5] In 2012 he was named ‘Thirty Conservatives Under Thirty’ by Red Alert Politics.[6]
Ohio House of Representatives
With Representative Barbara Sears term-limited in 2016, Merrin entered the race to succeed her.[7] He won a three-way primary against Republicans Vicki Donovan-Lyle and Kevin Haddad, with over 45% of the vote.[8]
Sears resigned from the seat before the end of her term to take a position in the administration of Ohio Governor John Kasich.[9] As the winner of the Republican primary, Ohio House Republicans led by Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger appointed Merrin to serve the remainder of Sears’ term.[10] He was sworn into office on August 2, 2016,[11] and won the ensuing general election over Democrat Lauri Cooper.
Merrin was re-elected in 2018 and 2020, with nearly 60% of the vote each time. Following re-districting, Merrin’s district was made substantially more Democratic, losing conservative western Lucas County while adding parts of the city of Toledo and inner ring suburbs.[12] Despite this, Merrin carried the Democrat-leaning (D+2) 47th House District by nearly eight points, 53.9%-46.1% over Democrat Erika White.[13]
In 2022, Merrin lost the Speaker election to Jason Stephens, who had bipartisan support, by 54 to 43 votes.[14]
References
- ^ “Derek Merrin Biography”. Ohio House of Representatives.
- ^ “3 running for Sears’ seat in Ohio House”. Toledo Blade. November 3, 2016. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “Derek Merrin Biography”. Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ “Derek Merrin announces candidacy for OH47”. Toledo Tea Party. October 25, 2015. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “Ohio House Speaker meets with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump”. Twinsburg Bulletin. August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “Gavarone, Merrin to be sworn in as Ohio representatives”. Toledo Blade. July 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “3 in GOP vying for 3rd District”. Toledo Blade. July 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “3 seek GOP nod in Ohio’s 47th House district”. Toledo Blade. February 10, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “Merrin nominated to succeed Rep. Sears”. Toledo Blade. March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “Ohio Rep. Sears to join Kasich administration”. Toledo Blade. June 8, 2016. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ “Derek Merrin’s Voting Records – the Voter’s Self Defense System – Vote Smart”. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ “Incumbent Merrin, union leader White face off in new Lucas County district”. The Blade. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ “Derek Merrin”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ “In a surprise move, Ohio House picks Jason Stephens as next speaker”. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
External links
- Campaign website
- Ohio State Representative Derek Merrin official site
