We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur claimed victory on Wednesday, securing her 22nd term in the U.S. House of Representatives after a tightly contested race in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

The Associated Press called the race at 1:02 p.m. EST, declaring Kaptur the winner over Republican state Rep. Derek Merrin. With nearly all precincts reporting, Kaptur edged out Merrin with 48.27% of the vote to his 47.63%, a margin of just 2,382 votes.

Libertarian candidate Tom Pruss drew approximately 4% of the vote, further narrowing the competition but more than likely taking votes away from Merrin.

As the longest-serving woman in House history, Kaptur celebrated her victory in a district significantly reshaped by recent redistricting, making it one of the most competitive in the country. Her re-election preserves a Democratic hold on the seat, even as Republicans strengthen their majority in the House.

Derek Merrin, a fourth-term state representative and a strong ally of President-elect Donald Trump, mounted a formidable challenge in a campaign defined by sharp contrasts. With the race now settled, Democrats hold 213 seats in the House, while Republicans, bolstered by gains in other districts, have secured a narrow majority with 218 seats.

At 78, Kaptur was regarded as one of the most vulnerable incumbents in this year’s congressional races. Her campaign for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District was among the most expensive, with total spending surpassing $23 million, according to OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan organization monitoring campaign finances.

Though the race was only officially called on Wednesday, the four-decade congresswoman announced a victory Nov. 6, the day after Election Day.

“Tonight, the people of Ohio’s 9th District have spoken, and I am deeply grateful for the trust they have placed in me to continue fighting for working families, creating good-paying jobs, protecting healthcare for everyone, and securing Social Security and Medicare so Ohioans can retire with dignity,” Kaptur’s campaign said in a statement.

“This campaign has always been about the strength and resilience of our communities, and tonight we celebrate not just a victory but a renewed commitment to the belief that what America makes and grows, makes and grows America,” she added.

Merrin noted last weekend that despite her many decades in office, Kaptur has no real record of accomplishments, having only primarily sponsored five pieces of legislation.

“Joe Biden had the decency to step down,” Merrin said at a Saturday morning event. “Marcy Kaptur doesn’t have the decency to step down and let northwest Ohio have a representative that’s excited about going to work and can walk up the steps of the Capitol and deliver.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) strongly supported Merrin during an October rally. “This is seen by everybody around the country as what may be the best pickup opportunity we have to flip a blue seat to red,” Johnson said.

President-elect Donald Trump, meanwhile, has responded to questions about whether he is reconsidering his decision to nominate former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz to become his attorney general.

Trump visited Boca Chica, Texas, to observe SpaceX’s sixth test flight of its Starship rocket when asked about Gaetz.

“Mr. President, are you reconsidering the nomination of Matt Gaetz?” Trump was asked. “No,” the president-elect replied before walking away, according to Fox News.

Gaetz’s nomination has faced significant criticism due to a yearslong investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. While the Justice Department ultimately declined to pursue charges, the controversy has continued to cast a shadow over his political career.

Just hours after Trump nominated the Florida Republican to be Attorney General last week, he resigned from his congressional seat.

“Once the investigation is complete, then a report will be issued — assuming that, at that time, that Mr. Gaetz is still a member of Congress,” House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss, said when asked about the probe.

But now that he’s no longer a House member, it’s not likely that a report is forthcoming, reports noted.

The post Another Key House Race Has Been Called appeared first on Conservative Brief.