Madison Sheahan, currently serving as the deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is stepping down from her position to pursue a congressional seat in Ohio, according to several federal law enforcement sources who spoke with Fox News.

Sources indicated that the internal announcement was made earlier today. Sheahan aims to represent Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, a seat held by Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur since 1983. Kaptur, renowned as the longest-serving woman in Congress, won re-election in November 2024, despite the district largely supporting President Donald Trump in that election year.

Sheahan’s campaign website declares, “No Excuses. Let’s Get It Done,” promoting her as a champion for safeguarding American jobs, wages, and values in Ohio’s 9th District.

In a statement, Sheahan expressed her motivations: “Northwest Ohio has been under the representation of a career politician who’s lost touch with the community. I’m running to ensure President Trump has Congressional support for his agenda, and to deliver a representative who will enhance America’s safety, affordability, and prosperity.”

Sheahan was recently seen attending a press conference for “Operation Midway Blitz,” an immigration enforcement initiative, held in a hangar in Gary, Indiana, on October 30, 2025. (Photo by Leah Millis/Reuters)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised Sheahan in a statement released Thursday, saying, “I’ve known her for years; she is deeply committed to her family, Ohio, and our nation. She will be a staunch advocate for freedom when she joins Congress.”

“Madison Sheahan is a work horse, strong executor, and terrific leader who led the men and women of ICE to achieve the American people’s mandate to target, arrest, and deport criminal illegal aliens. We wish her all the best,” Noem added.

In a statement Thursday to Fox News Digital, the Kaptur campaign said, “While Republicans from near and far will fight through a messy primary in this district they gerrymandered again just this fall, Congresswoman Kaptur is focused on delivering real results for her constituents.”

“She’s working to lower costs for working families, protect access to affordable health care, and bring transformative investments to Northwest Ohio. Voters are tired of the self-dealing corruption and culture of lawlessness they’ve seen over the last year. They want a leader focused on affordability and real results, and Marcy Kaptur consistently works across the aisle to deliver both,” her campaign added.

Sheahan’s campaign website describes her as, “a senior government executive and national leader in public administration, law enforcement, and political operations, most recently serving as Deputy Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, participates in a press conference near Camp 57 at Angola Prison, the Louisiana State Penitentiary and America’s largest maximum-security prison farm, to announce the opening of a new US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility that will house immigrants convicted of crimes in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, near the town of St. Francisville on Sept. 3, 2025.  (Matthew Hinton/AFP via Getty Images)

“In this role, she led one of the nation’s largest federal law enforcement agencies, overseeing strategy and execution in support of border security, interior enforcement, and the rule of law,” the website said. “Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, Sheahan was entrusted with helping guide ICE through a period of historic transformation.”

“During her tenure, the agency expanded from roughly 20,000 employees and a $10 billion budget into an $85 billion organization of more than 30,000 professionals. Most notably, Sheahan managed the hiring of 12,000 new law enforcement officers within 180 days,” it also said.

A biography of Sheahan on ICE’s website said, “Prior to serving as ICE’s deputy director, Ms. Sheahan served as the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, overseeing a $280 million budget and leading a team of over 800 employees across the wildlife, fisheries, and enforcement divisions.”

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, attends a news conference being conducted by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in the Rayburn Room at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 29, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Kaptur currently represents Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, which Sheahan is running for. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“Prior to serving the State of Louisiana alongside Governor Landry, Ms. Sheahan worked for former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in various leadership positions,” it added.