Local law enforcement endorses Merrin for Congress

Local law enforcement groups are supporting state Rep. Derek Merrin (R., Monclova Township) in the race for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District seat.

Both the Toledo Police Command Officers Association and Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association have endorsed the candidate against his opponent, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo).

“Every day Toledo police officers, commanders put their lives on the line to protect and to serve our community,” Mr. Merrin said. “They deserve our gratitude, but they also merit our vocal support.”

He condemned Ms. Kaptur’s support and co-sponsorship of the 2021 End Qualified Immunity Act which would have eliminated individual liability of police officers. In 1967, the Supreme Court invented the qualified immunity doctrine that prevents police officers from being sued for misconduct if they break the law. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives but was not passed.

“Marcy believes policing needs to be reimagined and transformed and supports legislation to end qualified immunity,” Mr. Merrin said. “I strongly disagree, and I stand proudly with our police today, and I will continue to stand with them in the future.”

Although Lucas County Sheriff Mike Navarre disagrees with ending qualified immunity, he endorsed Ms. Kaptur for the work that she’s done for local law enforcement.

“I remember when I was chief of police at the Toledo Police Department, and we needed extra funding, so I called Marcy up, and she came up with $1 million dollars, which was more than what we asked for,” Mr. Navarre said.

Mr. Navarre also noted her help in securing a $2 million federal grant that will create a mental health wing in the new Lucas County jail. Most recently, Ms. Kaptur helped secure $1 million for the Toledo Police Department for new radios.

“Congresswoman Kaptur has a strong record of working with law enforcement to deliver resources needed to keep our communities safe. From state of the art radios to canine units and training programs, Marcy has shown she puts results and safety over grandstanding,” a spokesman for Ms. Kaptur’s campaign wrote in an email. “Congresswoman Kaptur is a champion of community policing, and through the American Rescue Plan Act was proud to deliver funds to hire 100 new Toledo Police officers, as well as bonuses and incentives for those already serving. Every Republican, including Derek Merrin’s patron Mike Johnson, voted no on that legislation.”

But to Mr. Merrin, it’s not enough. He promised that, if elected in November, he would strengthen local police departments and added that he would support securing the U.S. border.

“Many of these illegal immigrants are entering our communities and committing crimes, and our local police are tasked with having to address it,” he said.

Michael Haynes, the president of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association, said while they’ve endorsed many local candidates before, they have never endorsed a candidate in a national race.

“The issues that face policemen now have reached a national level,” Mr. Haynes said. “With that being the case, we need national support for the issues that come our way.”

In 2022, the Toledo Police Command Officers’ Association endorsed Ms. Kaptur’s opponent, J.R. Majewski. Erik Welling with the Toledo Police Command Officers’ Association praised Mr. Merrin for the work he has done in the Statehouse and hopes he will continue that in the future.

In 2020, Mr. Merrin introduced the Anthony Dia Act, which provides tuition and fee waivers to in-state spouses and children of police officers, firefighters, and U.S. armed forces service members who have died in the line of duty. However, the bill was never signed into law. He has also voted in support of increased penalties for drug and human trafficking, stricter penalties for law enforcement for reckless driving, and changing the definition of “obstruction of justice” to include distracting a police officer.

“This is in direct opposition to his opponent, Marcy Kaptur, who portrays herself as pro-law enforcement, but whose voting record exposes the exact opposite ideals,” Mr. Welling said.

Both candidates will be on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election. Ohio’s 9th District includes parts of Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Ottawa, Lucas, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties.