Why Ohio House Republican Candidates Are Not Supporting Vance
House Republicans claimed in July that the vice presidential candidate “sets Ohio on fire” and would offer a “real lift” in crucial races. However, they are not deploying him in this essential battleground district.
TroibNews 
TOLEDO, Ohio — In July, Republicans eagerly announced that Donald Trump's choice of Sen. JD Vance as his running mate would lend them a boost in competitive congressional districts across Ohio.
However, three months later, that anticipation appears unfounded in one of the state's most challenging elections, where the GOP is striving to unseat the longest-serving woman in the House.
The Republican Party saw Rep. Marcy Kaptur's seat as one of its prime targets. Several favorable factors emerged this cycle: the party secured a more Republican-leaning district through redistricting and avoided the complications of a candidate with major personal issues, which had been a critical factor in Kaptur's 2022 victory, where she won by 13 points.
The GOP believed Vance could provide the momentum necessary for victory. Following Trump's selection of his running mate, House GOP campaign arm Chair Richard Hudson declared Vance “sets Ohio on fire” and would offer a “real lift” in key House races.
Yet a recent poll shows Kaptur leading Republican candidate Derek Merrin by 10 points, with Vance hardly being mentioned in the contest.
Vance is notably missing from local billboards that prominently display Trump, Merrin, and GOP Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. A PMG analysis of AdImpact data indicates he has not appeared in Republican broadcast ads despite considerable outside spending. In over a dozen interviews conducted in the Rust Belt district the day after Vance’s strong debate performance, local voters, politicians, and union representatives expressed either indifference or outright negativity toward him.
“I don't think [Trump and Vance] have very good character. The things they say, like just last night on the debate. … A lot of the things [Vance] was saying, just like Trump, were outrageous and inflammatory,” remarked Stephanie Garcia, a 55-year-old insurance worker who spoke with PMG in downtown Toledo and indicated her support for Kaptur. “Business wise, it might be best for the country, but character is a big deal for me.”
“I literally have members who told me: ‘I'm voting for Trump, but I'm splitting the ticket. I'm going to vote for Marcy, and I'm going to vote for Sen. [Sherrod] Brown.’ Because they see them in action,” noted UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty.
For some voters who back Merrin and Trump, Vance’s presence has been insignificant to their decision-making. He was largely unfamiliar to them even prior to the debate.
“I didn't really know anything about [Vance], even though we're both from Ohio, but I thought he really did good [in the debate],” stated Darlene Fisher, who was outside a Kroger grocery store. She supported Merrin because “Marcy's been in there too long. I know her personally. She needs to retire.”
Despite initial optimism among GOP leaders after Trump chose Vance in July, many rank-and-file Republicans expressed concerns about his impact as a senator from a solid-red state, particularly given his political alignment with Trump. If Vance isn’t viewed as an asset in Toledo, it raises questions about where he could potentially aid the party this election cycle.
Kaptur has adeptly utilized a now-viral moment involving Vance from last year’s UAW strike, where she quipped at him: “First time here?” Beyond that, she is distancing herself from the vice presidential candidate, working to keep the divisive national political climate out of her campaign.
Reflecting on her encounter with Vance, she observed, “What does he know about the auto industry and the trucking industry?”
Kaptur has maintained her political standing in a district that supported Trump by 3 points in 2020 through strong local connections. Having represented the area for over four decades, her influence is pervasive. She spoke with PMG beside a display at a local county office honoring “Lucas County’s Wall of Friends,” where Kaptur was a featured figure.
In the wake of the vice presidential debate and Vance’s commendable performance, Kaptur dismissed the notion that he would impact down-ballot races: “I think he has high ambitions, and so he's been successful in getting elected in Ohio, but he hasn't had time, really to have any results.” Vance was first elected to the Senate two years ago and developed much of his career outside of politics before that.
Another challenging factor for Republicans is the adjustment at the top of the Democratic ticket this summer, which mitigated some of their severe liability. A survey taken after President Joe Biden exited the race indicated that Trump and Harris were essentially tied in the district, whereas Biden's favorability rating had plummeted to just 36 percent against a 60 percent unfavorable rating. Additionally, Vance, who narrowly lost the district in his 2022 Senate run, recorded a 48 percent unfavorable rating.
Nonetheless, Republicans maintain a hopeful outlook for the district. The ability to split tickets between presidential and House candidates remains a considerable challenge, and Kaptur's 2022 victory is partly attributed to a flawed GOP opponent, J.R. Majewski.
"After 41 years in Congress with almost nothing to show for it, Marcy Kaptur has left Ohioans behind and Derek Merrin is strategically positioned to capitalize on the Trump/Vance momentum — flipping this seat red and ending Kaptur's tenure of inaction," asserted Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for House Republicans' campaign arm.
Merrin declined to participate in an interview for this story, opting instead to issue a statement about his campaign, emphasizing his desire to provide “the fresh leadership Northwest Ohio needs to fight for those in our community who are truly hurting due to the skyrocketing inflation of the Biden/Kaptur economy.” He expressed pride in supporting the Trump/Vance ticket due to its focus on economic policies benefiting the American people.
A request for comment from a Vance spokesperson went unanswered.
Vance’s absence isn't limited to this district; he has not served as a surrogate for Moreno in the Senate race nor appeared in other competitive congressional contests in Northeast Ohio, where first-term Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes is seeking reelection.
Some Republicans defended the party's minimal emphasis on Vance, suggesting that with Ohio leaning toward Trump, the senator's efforts may be better utilized in more competitive swing states.
“He's got a lot on his plate,” commented Republican state Rep. Josh Williams, who represents a district in Toledo. “He’s been here advocating for change here in Ohio. I believe that there's enough momentum here in Ohio for a true shift in politics here.”
Merrin's campaign has centered on themes like immigration, a common battleground issue. Republicans have targeted Kaptur with a career-politician narrative in advertisements, including a recent National Republican Congressional Committee spot stating, “Marcy Kaptur has been in Congress for 40 years, 40 years of voting for open borders.”
In response, Kaptur, like many Democrats in competitive districts this cycle, pointed to bipartisan legislation that was derailed by Republicans as part of the efforts she and her colleagues have undertaken to manage the surge of migration at the southern border. She embraces her extensive time in Congress, arguing that continuity is essential.
“I think one of the problems the country is having right now is people don't stay in elected office long enough,” she remarked, highlighting long-standing regional issues, such as Great Lakes water quality and rail infrastructure. “We have to have people who are experienced, and I just think that people have to dedicate their lives to the Republic, to their communities. ... We can't have green people being elected at every level who come with no experience in governance.”
Her long tenure has bolstered her name recognition but may also present challenges. Voter opinions on seniority are mixed. Robert Voltz, a 42-year-old Jeep worker out walking his dog, shared his uncertainty on the House race: "I know who Marcy is. I don’t know who her opponent is.” Meanwhile, Susan Hinkel exited Kroger with an expletive aimed at Kaptur, asserting, “Time for her to go home.”
The 78-year-old Kaptur remains ambiguous about her retirement plans, even if she wins reelection.
“I don't know that answer, but the seniority I hold belongs to the people I represent,” she stated. "They stuck with me through thick and thin, and I hope they'll say the same about me someday, that I stuck with them through thick and thin.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
However, three months later, that anticipation appears unfounded in one of the state's most challenging elections, where the GOP is striving to unseat the longest-serving woman in the House.
The Republican Party saw Rep. Marcy Kaptur's seat as one of its prime targets. Several favorable factors emerged this cycle: the party secured a more Republican-leaning district through redistricting and avoided the complications of a candidate with major personal issues, which had been a critical factor in Kaptur's 2022 victory, where she won by 13 points.
The GOP believed Vance could provide the momentum necessary for victory. Following Trump's selection of his running mate, House GOP campaign arm Chair Richard Hudson declared Vance “sets Ohio on fire” and would offer a “real lift” in key House races.
Yet a recent poll shows Kaptur leading Republican candidate Derek Merrin by 10 points, with Vance hardly being mentioned in the contest.
Vance is notably missing from local billboards that prominently display Trump, Merrin, and GOP Senate candidate Bernie Moreno. A PMG analysis of AdImpact data indicates he has not appeared in Republican broadcast ads despite considerable outside spending. In over a dozen interviews conducted in the Rust Belt district the day after Vance’s strong debate performance, local voters, politicians, and union representatives expressed either indifference or outright negativity toward him.
“I don't think [Trump and Vance] have very good character. The things they say, like just last night on the debate. … A lot of the things [Vance] was saying, just like Trump, were outrageous and inflammatory,” remarked Stephanie Garcia, a 55-year-old insurance worker who spoke with PMG in downtown Toledo and indicated her support for Kaptur. “Business wise, it might be best for the country, but character is a big deal for me.”
“I literally have members who told me: ‘I'm voting for Trump, but I'm splitting the ticket. I'm going to vote for Marcy, and I'm going to vote for Sen. [Sherrod] Brown.’ Because they see them in action,” noted UAW Local 14 President Tony Totty.
For some voters who back Merrin and Trump, Vance’s presence has been insignificant to their decision-making. He was largely unfamiliar to them even prior to the debate.
“I didn't really know anything about [Vance], even though we're both from Ohio, but I thought he really did good [in the debate],” stated Darlene Fisher, who was outside a Kroger grocery store. She supported Merrin because “Marcy's been in there too long. I know her personally. She needs to retire.”
Despite initial optimism among GOP leaders after Trump chose Vance in July, many rank-and-file Republicans expressed concerns about his impact as a senator from a solid-red state, particularly given his political alignment with Trump. If Vance isn’t viewed as an asset in Toledo, it raises questions about where he could potentially aid the party this election cycle.
Kaptur has adeptly utilized a now-viral moment involving Vance from last year’s UAW strike, where she quipped at him: “First time here?” Beyond that, she is distancing herself from the vice presidential candidate, working to keep the divisive national political climate out of her campaign.
Reflecting on her encounter with Vance, she observed, “What does he know about the auto industry and the trucking industry?”
Kaptur has maintained her political standing in a district that supported Trump by 3 points in 2020 through strong local connections. Having represented the area for over four decades, her influence is pervasive. She spoke with PMG beside a display at a local county office honoring “Lucas County’s Wall of Friends,” where Kaptur was a featured figure.
In the wake of the vice presidential debate and Vance’s commendable performance, Kaptur dismissed the notion that he would impact down-ballot races: “I think he has high ambitions, and so he's been successful in getting elected in Ohio, but he hasn't had time, really to have any results.” Vance was first elected to the Senate two years ago and developed much of his career outside of politics before that.
Another challenging factor for Republicans is the adjustment at the top of the Democratic ticket this summer, which mitigated some of their severe liability. A survey taken after President Joe Biden exited the race indicated that Trump and Harris were essentially tied in the district, whereas Biden's favorability rating had plummeted to just 36 percent against a 60 percent unfavorable rating. Additionally, Vance, who narrowly lost the district in his 2022 Senate run, recorded a 48 percent unfavorable rating.
Nonetheless, Republicans maintain a hopeful outlook for the district. The ability to split tickets between presidential and House candidates remains a considerable challenge, and Kaptur's 2022 victory is partly attributed to a flawed GOP opponent, J.R. Majewski.
"After 41 years in Congress with almost nothing to show for it, Marcy Kaptur has left Ohioans behind and Derek Merrin is strategically positioned to capitalize on the Trump/Vance momentum — flipping this seat red and ending Kaptur's tenure of inaction," asserted Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for House Republicans' campaign arm.
Merrin declined to participate in an interview for this story, opting instead to issue a statement about his campaign, emphasizing his desire to provide “the fresh leadership Northwest Ohio needs to fight for those in our community who are truly hurting due to the skyrocketing inflation of the Biden/Kaptur economy.” He expressed pride in supporting the Trump/Vance ticket due to its focus on economic policies benefiting the American people.
A request for comment from a Vance spokesperson went unanswered.
Vance’s absence isn't limited to this district; he has not served as a surrogate for Moreno in the Senate race nor appeared in other competitive congressional contests in Northeast Ohio, where first-term Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes is seeking reelection.
Some Republicans defended the party's minimal emphasis on Vance, suggesting that with Ohio leaning toward Trump, the senator's efforts may be better utilized in more competitive swing states.
“He's got a lot on his plate,” commented Republican state Rep. Josh Williams, who represents a district in Toledo. “He’s been here advocating for change here in Ohio. I believe that there's enough momentum here in Ohio for a true shift in politics here.”
Merrin's campaign has centered on themes like immigration, a common battleground issue. Republicans have targeted Kaptur with a career-politician narrative in advertisements, including a recent National Republican Congressional Committee spot stating, “Marcy Kaptur has been in Congress for 40 years, 40 years of voting for open borders.”
In response, Kaptur, like many Democrats in competitive districts this cycle, pointed to bipartisan legislation that was derailed by Republicans as part of the efforts she and her colleagues have undertaken to manage the surge of migration at the southern border. She embraces her extensive time in Congress, arguing that continuity is essential.
“I think one of the problems the country is having right now is people don't stay in elected office long enough,” she remarked, highlighting long-standing regional issues, such as Great Lakes water quality and rail infrastructure. “We have to have people who are experienced, and I just think that people have to dedicate their lives to the Republic, to their communities. ... We can't have green people being elected at every level who come with no experience in governance.”
Her long tenure has bolstered her name recognition but may also present challenges. Voter opinions on seniority are mixed. Robert Voltz, a 42-year-old Jeep worker out walking his dog, shared his uncertainty on the House race: "I know who Marcy is. I don’t know who her opponent is.” Meanwhile, Susan Hinkel exited Kroger with an expletive aimed at Kaptur, asserting, “Time for her to go home.”
The 78-year-old Kaptur remains ambiguous about her retirement plans, even if she wins reelection.
“I don't know that answer, but the seniority I hold belongs to the people I represent,” she stated. "They stuck with me through thick and thin, and I hope they'll say the same about me someday, that I stuck with them through thick and thin.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
