Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
38.7%
59%
34.3%
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
$46.9K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePhysician
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age60 years old (Feb 16, 1966)
GenderFemale
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LocationOhio
BackgroundPhysician
EducationYoungstown State University (BS)
Notable personal detailsAmy Leigh Acton is an American physician and public health leader who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health from 2019 to 2020 and was a prominent figure in Ohio’s early COVID-19 response. She later led the nonprofit RAPID 5 and worked in philanthropic roles with the Columbus Foundation. Acton announced her candidacy for governor of Ohio on 2025-01-07 and became the Democratic nominee for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgactonforgovernor.comwvxu.orgdemocrats.orgwosu.orgpolitifact.comwashingtonpost.comohiomfg.comsignalohio.orgspectrumnews1.comtoledofreepress.comtheintelligencer.netohiocapitaljournal.comes.wikipedia.orgapnews.combhfs.comboe.ohio.govohio.newswlwt.comopencampaign.comfarmanddairy.comdemocratsworkforamerica.orgbutlercountydems.orgoft-aft.orgnewsforce247.comrivernews.orgassets.apnews.comtwitter.comx.comblog.x.comballotready.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgnga.orgcongress.govfec.govbalderson.house.govfulcher.house.govgovinfo.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgdocquery.fec.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for working- and middle-class Ohioans (including property tax relief, expanded homestead exemption, and an expanded child tax credit) while backing public investments to lower costs and grow jobs. Favors using state authority to lower healthcare and energy costs, increase transparency, and hold corporations accountable rather than broad tax cuts for corporations or the wealthy. Emphasizes smart public investment and accountability for economic development programs.
Healthcare
Supports making health care more affordable and accessible in Ohio, protecting and opposing cuts to Medicaid, reducing prescription drug costs and surprise medical bills, and increasing price/transparency controls on hospitals, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers. Plans to use state authority to expand access to basic care statewide and to address rural health access and maternal/infant outcomes.
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Immigration & Border
Supports enforcing immigration laws against criminals and those present unlawfully while emphasizing that enforcement must be lawful and humane; favors better training and funding for law enforcement to ensure lawful, professional interactions. Public comments stress concern for people being treated humanely and that immigration policy needs careful reform rather than harsh, inhumane tactics.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting reproductive freedom and ensuring access to safe, legal abortion care, contraception, fertility treatments, and miscarriage care; opposes government interference in reproductive health decisions and commits as governor to defend abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports conservation of Ohio’s waters and investments in clean-energy and biofuel innovation while backing a diverse energy mix to support Ohioans. Has criticized cuts to Great Lakes and H2Ohio funding and emphasizes lowering energy costs for families alongside investments and innovation in renewable and biofuel industries.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports fully funding police and rebuilding public safety partnerships while also saying she will pursue “common sense reforms to reduce the scourge of gun violence.” Specific positions on policies such as universal background checks, assault weapons bans, red flag laws, or constitutional carry are not detailed on the campaign site or in cited materials reviewed here.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Amy Acton has become the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor and is now running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in what polls show is a very close race. Her campaign is focusing on health care affordability, including forgiving some medical debt, capping medical debt interest, and creating a state drug-price website. The race has also turned increasingly negative, with Ramaswamy attacking Acton over her COVID-19 response. Acton has said she would keep Ohio’s execution moratorium in place until lawmakers reach a bipartisan solution.
en.wikipedia.org+43
Articles
WEWashington Examiner16 days ago
Democrat Amy Acton runs on medical debt forgiveness in Ohio governor's race
Neutral
Ccleveland.com24 days ago
Ohio execution moratorium: Will the next governor end it?
Neutral
Ccleveland.com26 days ago
Ohio’s death penalty: Where Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy stand on resuming executions
Neutral
CCCincinnati Cincinnati Enquirer29 days ago
Expert reveals why Ohio governor, Senate races so tight in 2026
Neutral
Polls
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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