Merrin was born in Smithtown, New York on Long Island, and moved to Waterville, Ohio, with his family when he was thirteen years old.
[2] His father, Russ Merrin, was a public-school teacher and pastored Monclova Road Baptist Church for twenty-three years.
Along with his time in public office, Merrin previously worked for Ohio Auditor Dave Yost.
[8] Sears resigned from the seat before the end of her term to take a position in the administration of Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Following re-districting, Merrin's district was made substantially more Democratic, losing conservative western Lucas County while adding parts of the city of Toledo and inner ring suburbs.