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, leading Ohio’s early COVID-19 response. She later became a Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio and advanced to the general election with running mate David Pepper. She earned degrees from Youngstown State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, and The Ohio State University.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgactonforgovernor.comapnews.comohiosos.govtransparencyusa.orgideastream.orgwosu.orgohiocapitaljournal.comwashingtonpost.comohiomfg.comsignalohio.orgstatenews.orgdemocraticgovernors.orgnwprogressive.orgwvxu.orges.wikipedia.orgaxios.combhfs.comohiodcca.orgohio.newswlwt.comopencampaign.comfarmanddairy.comdemocratsworkforamerica.orgbutlercountydems.orgoft-aft.orgnewsforce247.comrivernews.orgdemocraticredistricting.comafge.orgnbc4i.comuaw.orgplannedparenthoodaction.orgabc6onyourside.comreutersconnect.comtiffinohio.netsbaprolife.orgocseavotes.orgfacebook.comx.cominstagram.comballotready.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govlegislation.ballotpedia.orgfr.wikipedia.orgbalderson.house.govdata.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgdocs.house.govcongress.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgnga.orgdocquery.fec.gov
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 updatedJul 15, 2026
Amy Acton has become the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor and is now running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in what reports describe as a close race. Her campaign is centered 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+56
Articles
WEWashington Examiner2 months ago
Democrat Amy Acton runs on medical debt forgiveness in Ohio governor's race
Neutral
Ccleveland.com2 months ago
Ohio execution moratorium: Will the next governor end it?
Neutral
Ccleveland.com2 months ago
Ohio’s death penalty: Where Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy stand on resuming executions
Neutral
CCCincinnati Cincinnati Enquirer2 months ago
Expert reveals why Ohio governor, Senate races so tight in 2026
Neutral
Polls
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Amy Acton for Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Ohio State Council of Machinists
Elected official
Ohio State Council of Machinists endorsed Amy Acton’s campaign for governor.
OCSEA/AFSCME Ohio Council 8
Elected official
OCSEA/AFSCME Ohio Council 8 endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1184
Elected official
AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1184 endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Elected official
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
Business Leaders
Elected official
Business Leaders endorsed Amy Acton's campaign for governor.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Elected official
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio endorsed Amy Acton for Ohio governor.
Ohio Democratic Party
Elected official
Ohio Democratic Party endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
American Federation of Government Employees
Elected official
American Federation of Government Employees endorsed Amy Acton for Ohio governor.
United Mine Workers of America
Elected official
United Mine Workers of America endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
Ohio Federation of Teachers
Elected official
Ohio Federation of Teachers endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval
Elected official
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council
Elected official
Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
Lima Building and Construction Trades
Elected official
Lima Building and Construction Trades endorsed Amy Acton for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising