TOLEDO, Ohio —
With 50 days left until the general election, both candidates in the race for Ohio's 9th Congressional District have picked up key endorsements from different law enforcement groups.
Challenger state Rep. Merrin (R-Monclova Township) has received the endorsement of two local police organizations while incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat, has secured an endorsement from the largest law enforcement organization in the state.
The Toledo Police Command Officers' Association and the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association both endorsed Merrin in July.
Sgt. Erik Welling, TPCOA vice president, said Merrin's track record of supporting law enforcement stood out during his interview with the association.
To secure an endorsement, Merrin asked for an audience with the association, in which they discussed his objectives and ideals.
"He is very pro-law enforcement," Welling said. "We believe we've lacked that audience in the past and I think we're in a good spot going into the future with Mr. Merrin."
Welling said after the interview, the association discusses the pros and cons of the candidate and if they want to endorse them.
"I think across the country, ever since 2020, enforcement has been under a microscope," Welling said. "I believe that he is fully supporting of law enforcement and that was the largest aspect of that interview. It was a unanimous selection."
Merrin said in a statement posted to his campaign website he is honored to have both organizations' support.
In the statement, he also questions Kaptur's previous support for ending qualified immunity for police, which protects officers from being sued in civil situations.
"Marcy Kaptur has repeatedly undercut our police by her words and actions. While Marcy Kaptur believes that policing needs to be reimagined and supports legislation to end qualified immunity for police, I will stand by our law enforcement officers," part of the statement reads.
Kaptur's campaign responded with a statement, saying, "Congresswoman Kaptur does not support ending qualified immunity. After speaking with and listening to police officers across the district, she does not believe ending this protection is in the best interest of her district."
Kaptur, for her part, was recently endorsed by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, an organization representing over 23,000 people.
Mike Weinman, the director of governmental affairs for the Ohio FOP, said the group endorsed the long-time U.S. representative because she supported the Social Security Fairness Act. He said her work to get grants and more officers on the street is also important.
"That benefits everyone, not just us, but the communities at large," Weinman said.
Weinman added that this is the first time in recent history the group has endorsed a candidate in the 9th Congressional District race.
To secure the endorsement, the Ohio FOP sends a questionnaire to candidates. There is also a scorecard from the national FOP.
"They can tell us those issues and their experience with the Congresspersons as well," Weinman said. "And then we have our own personal experiences with them as well over the years."