Meet the 5 Republican Candidates for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District

Five Republican candidates are vying to represent Ohio’s 9th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to a report by The Toledo Blade published on April 19, 2026. The district, which includes Toledo and parts of Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood counties, is currently represented by Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur, who has held the seat since 1983.

The Republican field features a mix of local business owners, community activists, and political newcomers seeking to challenge Kaptur in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. The Blade’s profile highlights each candidate’s background, campaign focus, and ties to the region, offering voters a comparative look at the GOP contenders aiming to flip the historically Democratic-leaning district.

Candidate Profiles

Alice Momany, a small business owner from Toledo, leads the Republican outreach effort with a focus on economic revitalization and workforce development. Momany, who operates a manufacturing supply company in East Toledo, emphasizes her experience in job creation and vocational training as central to her platform. She has highlighted partnerships with local trade schools and advocated for expanding apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing.

Another candidate, David Reynolds, a former Lucas County sheriff’s deputy, centers his campaign on public safety and border security reform. Reynolds, who served 22 years in law enforcement before retiring in 2023, argues that federal policies have undermined local policing efforts and contributed to rising crime rates in urban centers like Toledo. He has called for increased funding for community policing initiatives and stricter enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Jennifer Hale, a nonprofit director and education advocate from Oregon, Ohio, is campaigning on expanding access to rural broadband and supporting family farming operations. Hale, who leads a regional food security nonprofit, stresses the importance of federal investment in agricultural technology and infrastructure to sustain Northwest Ohio’s farming communities. She has also advocated for expanding telehealth services in underserved areas.

Mark Daniels, a fiscal conservative and former Toledo city council aide, promotes a platform focused on reducing federal spending and reforming the tax code. Daniels, who worked in municipal budget analysis before transitioning to private consulting, argues that current federal deficits threaten long-term economic stability. He has proposed a balanced budget amendment and supported measures to eliminate certain federal subsidies he characterizes as wasteful.

The fifth candidate, Richard Vargas, a veteran and small business owner from Perrysburg, emphasizes national security and energy independence. Vargas, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve and completed two overseas deployments, advocates for strengthening domestic energy production, including support for nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. He has also voiced support for increasing defense spending to counter perceived threats from China and Russia.

District Context and Political Landscape>

Ohio’s 9th congressional district has been represented by Marcy Kaptur since 1983, making her the longest-serving woman in U.S. House history. The district, which stretches along Lake Erie’s western shore, includes urban, suburban, and rural communities with a diverse economic base anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors. Despite periodic Republican challenges, Democrats have maintained control of the seat for over four decades.

In the 2024 election, Kaptur defeated Republican candidate J.R. Majewski by approximately 20 percentage points, continuing a trend of Democratic dominance in the district. However, local GOP leaders have expressed optimism that shifting economic concerns and voter dissatisfaction with federal policies could create an opening in 2026.

The Toledo Blade’s reporting notes that all five Republican candidates have participated in local forums and party events throughout the spring of 2026, seeking to build name recognition ahead of the May 5 primary election. The winner of the Republican primary will face Kaptur in the general election, unless she faces a primary challenge from within her own party — though no Democratic challengers have filed as of mid-April 2026.

Campaign Focus and Voter Outreach>

Across the field, candidates have emphasized pocketbook issues such as inflation, energy costs, and access to affordable healthcare as central to their appeals. Several have criticized federal regulations affecting small businesses and called for reforms to streamline permitting and reduce compliance burdens. Education and workforce development have also emerged as recurring themes, particularly in relation to preparing residents for skilled trades and technical careers.

Momany, in particular, has highlighted her work with the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s workforce initiative, arguing that public-private partnerships are key to addressing skills gaps in advanced manufacturing. She has also advocated for expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and supporting childcare access to help parents remain in the workforce.

Reynolds has focused on coordinating with local law enforcement agencies to address drug trafficking and violent crime, citing recent increases in fentanyl-related incidents in Lucas County. He has proposed expanding federal grant programs for police mental health training and community violence intervention efforts.

Hale has pointed to federal USDA grants and rural development programs as tools to support Northwest Ohio farmers adopting precision agriculture technologies. She has also advocated for reauthorizing and expanding the Rural Broadband Expansion Grant program to close connectivity gaps in Ottawa and Wood counties.

Electoral Outlook>

As of mid-April 2026, no major polling has been released specifically for the Ohio 9th congressional district race. However, historical voting patterns and demographic trends suggest the district remains a challenging target for Republicans, despite periodic gains in suburban and exurban areas during midterm elections.

The winner of the Republican primary will need to unify the party’s base while appealing to independents and moderate Democrats in key swing precincts, particularly in Toledo’s outer neighborhoods and along the Lake Erie shoreline. Voter turnout, especially among younger and minority populations, is expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome.

With the primary election less than a month away, candidates are increasing their presence at community events, town halls, and local media appearances. The Toledo Blade has indicated it will continue to monitor the race and provide updates as the campaign progresses toward the May 5 primary and the November general election.