Reminder – Messy GOP OH09 Primary Keeps Getting Messier: A Website and Accusations of a Smear Campaign

Reminder - Messy GOP OH09 Primary Keeps Getting Messier: A Website and Accusations of a Smear Campaign

April 30, 2026

COLUMBUS, OH - Republicans have less than a week until their primary for OH09 and it's getting messier by the day - well really by the minute. In a new low for the Republican primary field, reporting detailed that Derrick Merrin's campaign was tied to a website targeting GOP candidate Josh Williams. The website, titled "Liberal Fraud Josh Williams," slammed Williams for legislation he has supported, his voting record, and even emphasized sexually explicit Facebook posts. In response, Williams slammed Merrin for "resort[ing] to these smear tactics."

"Despite Ohioans struggling in the face of sky-high costs, Republican candidates for Congress are spending their time focusing on attacking each other," said Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Marisa Nahem. "While Republicans race to escape their messy GOP primary, Ohioans know that Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur is laser focused on fighting against the policies that drive up costs, like Washington Republicans' tariffs and massive healthcare cuts."

Read more about how Republicans' messy OH09 primary just keeps getting messier.

Toledo Blade: GOP rival linked to website targeting Rep. Josh Williams

A website dedicated to digging up past information on state Rep. Josh Williams (R., Sylvania Township) appears to have ties to a fellow Republican running for Ohio's 9th Congressional District.

The website, titled Liberal Fraud Josh Williams, has published a range of content, such as legislation Mr. Williams has supported, his voting record, and sexually explicit Facebook posts.

Mr. Williams is just one of five Republicans running in the primary election for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo).

Several images on the website are tied back to Alec Faggion, who is listed as the author under the images' metadata.

According to public financial disclosure reports, Mr. Faggion is the owner of AMF Political LLC, a Republican political consulting firm based in Lansing.

Former state Rep. Derek Merrin made two payments to AMF Political, one in February and the other in March, according to campaign finance disclosures.

A spokesman for Mr. Merrin's campaign said the firm was paid for campaign management, but did not respond to a request for further comment on Mr. Faggion's connection to the photos on the website.

A search of campaign records shows none of the other Republican candidates for the 9th District made payments to AMF Political.

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In response to learning that the website has ties to Mr. Merrin's campaign, Mr. Williams said he was "deeply disheartened" that Mr. Merrin would "resort to these smear tactics." In a statement, Mr. Williams said he once considered Mr. Merrin a friend and noted his support for Mr. Merrin when he ran for House speaker in 2023 and when he campaigned for Congress in 2024.

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