Voters in and around Toledo who cast ballots in Ohio’s May 2026 primary elections told NPR they are focused on the rising cost of everyday necessities, including gas and groceries, as the contest for the state’s 9th Congressional District heads toward a closely watched November matchup.
Alan Isbell of Toledo said he has not seen costs ease, describing how higher day-to-day expenses are shaping how people shop and travel.
Toledo is part of Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, which has been represented by Democrat Marcy Kaptur since 1983. The Cook Political Report has rated the seat a toss-up heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
On the Republican side, former state representative Derek Merrin won the GOP primary and is set to face Kaptur in November, setting up a rematch of their 2024 contest, which Kaptur won by roughly 2,300 votes.
