Republicans in Ohio's 9th Congressional District fear that former ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan's role in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement could jeopardize their chances against Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Sheahan faces attacks from GOP primary opponents over her ICE tenure amid a competitive May 5 primary. GOP strategists warn her record might appeal in the primary but harm in the general election.
Madison Sheahan, who resigned as deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this year to run for Congress, is highlighting her involvement in President Donald Trump's immigration raids to boost her standing in the Republican primary for Ohio's 9th District. The Toledo-area seat, redrawn last year to favor Republicans, offers the GOP a strong opportunity to unseat longtime Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who won by less than 1 percent in 2024. However, Sheahan's high-profile role at ICE, including operations that led to violent protests and the killings of two American citizens in Minneapolis, has drawn sharp criticism from opponents like Alea Nadeem, Derek Merrin, and Josh Williams. Sheahan launched her campaign shortly after one of those incidents but before the second, prompting rivals to question her accountability. “Primary issues that help you win are a two-edge sword. They can help you in the primary, but they might pose challenges in the fall election,” said Ohio GOP strategist Terry Casey. Nadeem noted during an April debate in Toledo that ICE comes up frequently while door-knocking, dividing even some Republicans. Williams criticized Sheahan for leaving amid a scandal, telling The Columbus Dispatch, “She left in the middle of a scandal that happened under her watch.” Her campaign spokesperson, Robert Paduchik, dismissed the attacks as “false narratives and baseless attacks,” defending her record on border security. With little public polling and the primary set for May 5, local Republicans like Lucas County GOP chair Barbara Orange expressed surprise at Sheahan's late entry. Sheahan reported $67,000 in cash on hand in mid-April, trailing her rivals and far behind Kaptur's $3.1 million. Strategists like Bob Clegg suggest Kaptur could exploit Sheahan's ICE ties in the general election if she advances.
