A former senior official with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been defeated in Ohio’s 9th district Republican primary, in what analysts say may reflect growing voter unease over immigration enforcement policies.
Madison Sheahan lost the nomination to former state representative Derek Merrin, setting up a 2026 rematch between Merrin and long-serving Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who has consistently won in the district.
Sheahan, who previously served as deputy director of ICE, had launched her campaign in January, highlighting her experience in immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.
“When the call came to help President Trump clean up the dangerous immigration mess, as deputy director of ICE, I answered the call,” Sheahan said in her campaign video. “We will not stop until our American families and everyday Americans are safe.”
However, public sentiment toward ICE appears to have shifted in recent months, with critics pointing to controversies surrounding enforcement operations and rising political tension over immigration.
During a recent Republican debate, candidate Alea Nadeem suggested that ICE had become politically damaging for the party.
“Republicans have this terrible impression — as I’m out there knocking on doors, ICE does come up a lot, and it’s really divided the country, even some Republicans,” Nadeem said.
Sheahan’s campaign also drew attention for her past roles, including work with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before serving under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and later joining ICE leadership.
Reports had previously circulated within ICE describing her as “fish cop,” a label she addressed during an interview, defending her qualifications for the immigration role.
“Because at the end of the day,” she said, “what really makes anybody qualified for any job?”
