Amy Acton Wins Ohio Governorship in Historic First

Amy Acton, the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, won the race for Ohio governor on Monday. The Associated Press called the race just before 11 p.m. with 85 percent of votes counted. Acton is the first woman to be elected governor of Ohio.

Her victory marks the first time in 20 years that Ohioans have elected a Democrat to lead the state. She defeated Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican biotech entrepreneur who received the backing of President Donald Trump. The campaign featured a final stretch of intense negative advertising that drew national attention.

Acton, who is 60, served as health director under outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine. DeWine appointed her early in his first term, and the two appeared together in regular public briefings during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. They announced lockdowns and safety measures until Acton resigned from the post in July 2020.

Throughout the election, Acton focused on her background in public health rather than her political history. She campaigned on policies including a statewide child tax credit and the forgiveness of medical debt. Her opponent’s campaign released an ad in late October featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who called Acton a liar on air.

Arthur had lost custody of Acton when the candidate was 12 years old following allegations of sexual assault by Arthur’s husband. The ad sparked criticism from some Republicans, including DeWine, though Trump and Ramaswamy defended the spot. Acton will take office in January and will work with a legislature currently controlled by Republicans.