COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Democrats are defending three key Ohio congressional seats Tuesday with control of the chamber on the line.

The Republicans’ main target is 21-term U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the House’s history. She faces state Rep. Derek Merrin, a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump, in the closely divided 9th Congressional District, which includes Toledo.

Meanwhile, first-term Democrats Emilia Sykes of Akron and Greg Landsman of Cincinnati are defending trucks they made in 2022 under the new congressional maps drawn by the Republicans.

Ohio’s congressional map was allowed to go forward in 2022 despite being ruled unconstitutionally mandated to favor the GOP. The Ohio Supreme Court cleaned up the district boundaries to remain in place for 2024 as part of a court order.

9th Congressional District

Kaptur, 78, has been seen as one of the most vulnerable congressional incumbents this year, placing Ohio’s 9th District in the middle of a more than $5 million campaign battle.

Her opponent, Merrin, 38, drew national attention last year when he failed to win the speakership and aligned a GOP faction against Ohio Republican House Speaker Jason Stephens. The ongoing infighting has fueled litigation and contributed to a historic lack of legislative action this session.

Merrin was recruited by US House Speaker Mike Johnson and then endorsed by Trump just 18 hours before the polls opened in a roller coaster spring. Johnson became involved after audio surfaced of the Republican front-runner criticizing Trump, raising concerns about his electability.

Kaptur’s campaign criticized Merrin, a four-term state representative, for supporting strict restrictions on abortion, including criminal penalties. She painted his positions as out of step with Ohio voters, who overwhelmingly supported an abortion rights amendment in 2023. She drew flak for turning down an invitation from The Blade newspaper to debate Merrin, calling him a “deeply unserious politician”.

1st Congressional District

Landsman, 47, a former Cincinnati City Council member, won the district for the first time in 2022, flipping partisan control, defeating 13-term Republican Rep. Steve Chabot.

This year, he faces Republican Orlando Sonza in Southwest Ohio’s 1st District. Sonza, 33, is a West Point graduate, former Army infantry officer and head of the Hamilton County Veterans Services office.

Landsman, who is Jewish, drew attention late in the campaign when a group of pro-Palestinian protesters set up camp outside his home. He condemned the demonstration as harassment and said he is asking him and his family members to get a police escort in and out of their Cincinnati home.

13th Congressional District

Sykes, 38, spent eight years in the Ohio House, including as minority leader, before her first successful bid for District 13 in 2022. She enjoys strong name recognition in her native Akron , which her mother and father both represented in Ohio. Statehouse.

Sykes faces Republican Kevin Coughlin, a former state representative and senator, in the closely divided district.

Sykes campaigned on a message of unity, trying to attract votes from Democrats, Republicans and independents, and used social media extensively.

Coughlin, 54, ran as a moderate who would honor Ohio’s recently passed abortion rights amendment. He was endorsed by Johnson and Ohio U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan. Trump has not endorsed anyone in the race.