WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new political ad targets Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s record after 41 years in office, claiming that “over the last 15 years, Marcy Kaptur has only passed one bill.”

The ad is part of an influx of at least $5 million in outside spending on Ohio’s 9^th congressional district in the northwestern corner of the state. Both parties see the competitive district as key to either Republicans keeping—or Democrats taking control of—the House.

Kaptur did pass just one bill into law as a single sponsor in that time frame, but said the ad was misleading because she has co-sponsored 112 bills that became law in the same period.  

“That shows how little they know,” Kaptur said.

Kaptur has sponsored five bills that were signed into law since she joined Congress in 1983. That does appear to be lower than some other lawmakers who have served the same number of years. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., who came to Congress in 1982, has sponsored 27 bills that became law, while Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who also arrived in 1982, has sponsored 49 such bills.

However, Kaptur has sponsored multiple bills in recent years that technically did not become law on their own because they were wrapped up into larger legislation that did become law, such as the Keep Our Promises Act, which eventually became the Butch Lewis Act and was signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan in 2021.

The ad was paid for by the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC tied to House GOP leadership.

Spokesperson Courtney Parella wrote in a statement:

“Marcy Kaptur may not like to admit it, but the simple fact is she’s only passed one bill in the last 15 years. It’s time for her to face reality and come clean with Ohio voters: Marcy Kaptur just doesn’t get the job done anymore.”

The race is among the toughest in Kaptur’s career. It is not her first race since redistricting in 2022 put more Republican areas in her district, but she got a boost last election by the extreme positions of her opponent, J.R. Majewski, who exaggerated his military service and has repeated Q-Anon conspiracy theories.

This time Kaptur is facing State Rep. Derek Merrin, an establishment Republican who almost became Ohio House Speaker and may keep more conservatives on his side.

Reflecting the tight race, last spring the Cook Political Report rated it a toss-up. But last week, the report shifted in its rating to “lean Democrat.”

Leaders at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) said their own ad spending, as well as Kaptur’s campaigning on the ground in Ohio, were the reasons she now appears to be a slight favorite. They hoped that momentum would spread to other close races in Ohio, such as in Rep. Emilia Sykes’ race in the 13th congressional district.

“Marcy and Emilia have been in close races, but they are doing a great job and focused on affordability, reproductive freedom, standing up against extremism and getting things done. All the things that the people Ohio care about and want to see addressed,” said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.

A late July poll by nonpartisan group Noble Predictive Insights for Inside Elections showed Kaptur leading Merrin by 10 points.

Kaptur said she didn’t trust polls and would continue to campaign on her record.

“We believe that we are competitive and, that our people have a right to sensible, representation here in Washington,” Kaptur said. “And we have a record to run on a record of results, not prognostications or turning truth inside out. That isn’t how we play here.”

Merrin is campaigning on his endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who won the state by 8 points in 2020.

Merrin campaign spokesperson Emily Benavides wrote in a statement.

“Washington media elites aren’t in touch with what Ohio’s 9th Congressional District needs after more than 40 years of the failed, liberal policies of Marcy Kaptur… Derek will win this November because he will bring the new leadership needed to fight to secure our border to ensure the safety of Northwest Ohio families.”

Merrin this week accepted an invitation by the Toledo Blade for a debate on Oct. 17.

Kaptur’s campaign could not immediately be reached to comment on whether she will also accept the invitation.