Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
10%
33%
14%
OH-09 Republican nominee?
$154.6K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernment official
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age29 years old (Feb 9, 1997)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
LocationOhio
BackgroundGovernment official
EducationThe Ohio State University (graduate; degree not verified)
Notable personal detailsMadison Dean Sheahan is an American government official and Republican political operative from Curtice, Ohio. She served as deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beginning in March 2025 and previously served as executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party and as political director for then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. She ran in the 2026 Republican primary for Ohio's 9th Congressional District.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgice.govapnews.comeenews.netsheahanforohio.comthecandidate.comwashingtonpost.comvote-usa.orgintegrityindex.us13abc.comau.linkedin.comtoledofreepress.comtiffinohio.netlinkedin.comes.linkedin.comreddit.comstatic1.squarespace.comarxiv.orgfoxnews.comaxios.comtheguardian.comyahoo.comwwno.orgtime.comwrganews.comnewsmax.comhstoday.usbizpacreview.comnypost.comvoz.ustennesseestar.combiographywallah.comcelebswiki.infocongress.govcampaignforaction.orgfacebook.comwtol.compolitico.comnbcnews.comsanduskyregister.comthehill.comnytimes.comtheatlantic.comohiocapitaljournal.comgaukurinn.isfec.govballotready.orgdocquery.fec.govhistory.house.govdocs.house.govgovinfo.govvotesmart.orgwikidata.orgsenate.govziplook.house.govfinance.senate.govnga.orgappropriations.house.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Immigration & Border
Supports robust immigration enforcement and strengthened border security, emphasizing expanded interior enforcement and large-scale deportations; frames her record around hiring more enforcement officers and executing aggressive removals. Positions prioritize enforcement-first measures over expanded legal pathways or protections for asylum seekers.
Climate & Energy
The candidate served as Louisiana’s Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries under Gov. Jeff Landry and was involved in state actions that supported expanding oil, gas, and related energy infrastructure. Reporting links her appointment and department actions to a state administration prioritizing fossil-fuel development over aggressive climate regulations and shows the department named in at least one legal challenge over approval of a CO2 pipeline project.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Madison Sheahan lost the Republican primary in Ohio's 9th Congressional District to Derek Merrin. The result means Merrin will be the GOP nominee to face Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in the general election. Reports also suggest the outcome may reflect some Republican voter concern about ICE and immigration enforcement.
en.wikipedia.org+58
Articles
TDThe Daily Beast3 months ago
ICE Barbie’s Enforcer Hit With Stunning Election Defeat
Negative
HHuffPost3 months ago
Former ICE Official Loses Republican Primary In Ohio
Negative
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit3 months ago
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Ohio's state primaries
Neutral
TAThe Associated Press3 months ago
What to expect in Ohio's state primaries
Neutral
Polls
OH-09 Republican nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
OH-09 Republican nominee?
Endorsers of Madison Sheahan for OH-09 Republican nominee?
Maggie's List
Public endorsement
Maggie's List endorsed Madison Sheahan in Ohio's 9th Congressional District race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$272.5K
$204.3K
$136.2K
$68.1K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$272.5K
$215.72
$272.2K
$15.1K
Source: FEC