Derek Merrin

Derek Merrin (born March 10, 1986) is the state representative for the 47th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican. The district comprises portions of Fulton County and Lucas County.

Derek Merrin
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 47th District
Assumed office
August 2, 2016
Preceded byBarbara Sears
Personal details
Born (1986-03-10) March 10, 1986
Smithtown, New York
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Toledo (B.A.)
Bowling Green State University (M.A.)

Life and career

Merrin was born in Smithtown, New York and moved to Waterville, Ohio with his family when he was thirteen years old.[1] He is a graduate of Monclova Christian Academy. Politically aspirated at a very early age, Merrin was elected to the Waterville City Council at the age of nineteen.[2] Two years later, he was elected Mayor. Along with his time in public office, Merrin also previously worked for Ohio Auditor Dave Yost and also has a small business flipping houses.[3]

Merrin graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor's of Arts, and subsequently Bowling Green State University with a Master's in Arts. In 2012 he was named 'Thirty Conservatives Under Thirty' by Red Alert Politics.[4]

Ohio House of Representatives

With Representative Barbara Sears term-limited in 2016, Merrin entered the race to succeed her.[5] He would go on to win a three-way primary against Republicans Vicki Donovan-Lyle and Kevin Haddad with over 45% of the vote. A Republican leaning district, Merrin nonetheless would have faced Democrat Lauri Cooper in the 2016 general election.[6]

Merrin received the opportunity to enter office early when Sears resigned from the seat to take a position in the administration of Ohio Governor John Kasich.[7] As the winner of the Republican primary, Ohio House Republicans led by Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger appointed Merrin to serve the remainder of Sears' term.[8] He was sworn into office on August 2, 2016.[9]

Involvement in First Energy Scandal

Merrin voted for controversial Ohio House Bill 6 after receiving campaign donations from First Energy Corp PAC[10] Merrin also voted for Larry Householder, the alleged mastermind behind the $61M bribery and racketeering scheme associated with HB6, for Speaker of the House.[10]

Racist and Sexist Behavior Complaint

In January 2019, Legislative Aide Marissa Reyes accused 3 GOP lawmakers and related staff, including Merrin and State Representative Scott Wiggam, of sexist and racist remarks.[11] According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, ″Reyes wrote that Monclova Township Rep. Derek Merrin interjected himself into a conversation she was having about her southern Texas hometown at a legislative fundraiser and said that “Mexicans are dangerous people.”[12]

An investigation conducted by the Republican leadership found no evidence of legal wrongdoing.[13] Reyes was laid off from her position as legislative aid in January of 2019, the same month that she published her complaint letter.[14]

References
  1. "3 running for Sears' seat in Ohio House". Toledo Blade. 2016-11-03. Archived from the original on 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  2. "Derek Merrin announces candidacy for OH47". Toledo Tea Party. 2015-10-25. Archived from the original on 2016-08-14. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  3. "Ohio House Speaker meets with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump". Twinsburg Bulletin. 2016-08-03. Archived from the original on 2016-08-04. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  4. "Gavarone, Merrin to be sworn in as Ohio representatives". Toledo Blade. 2016-07-04. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  5. "3 in GOP vying for 3rd District". Toledo Blade. 2016-07-10. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  6. "3 seek GOP nod in Ohio's 47th House district". Toledo Blade. 2016-02-10. Archived from the original on 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  7. "Merrin nominated to succeed Rep. Sears". Toledo Blade. 2016-03-16. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  8. "Ohio Rep. Sears to join Kasich administration". Toledo Blade. 2016-06-08. Archived from the original on 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2018-12-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "DeWine pushes for removal of House speaker during bribery case". The Blade. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  11. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/07/statehouse-staffer-alleges-misconduct-householder-allies/2499179002/
  12. Balmert, Jessie. "Aide details racist, sexist behavior from Ohio GOP lawmakers". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  13. Hancock, Laura; clevel; .com (2019-02-01). "Ohio House eliminates 7 aides, including one who made discrimination claims public". cleveland. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  14. Hancock, Laura; clevel; .com (2019-02-01). "Ohio House eliminates 7 aides, including one who made discrimination claims public". cleveland. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
Political offices
Preceded by
Barbara Sears		 Ohio House of Representatives, 47th District
2016–present		 Incumbent
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