Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
38.7%
59%
34.3%
Democrat
Amy Acton
Democratic candidate for Governor in Ohio
Democrat
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
$46.9K
MAY 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Amy Acton is trading at 100% to win the Ohio Democratic Governor nominee? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
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 has taught public health at The Ohio State University and has worked in philanthropy and community initiatives in Columbus. Acton is the Democratic nominee for Governor of Ohio in the 2026 election and is running with David Pepper as her lieutenant governor running mate.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgactonforgovernor.comdramyacton.orghealthpolicyohio.orgohiodcca.orgboe.ohio.govballotready.orgvote.franklincountyohio.govvotehamiltoncountyohio.govancientfaces.comthebiographybytes.comohio.edufr.wikipedia.orgamyactonoh.substack.comballot.watchrockyriverdems.orgohiocapitaljournal.comapnews.comohio.newswlwt.comopencampaign.comfarmanddairy.comdemocratsworkforamerica.orgbutlercountydems.orgoft-aft.orgnewsforce247.comrivernews.orguaw.orgafge.orgnbc4i.complannedparenthoodaction.orgstatenews.orgtiffinohio.netfox19.comcleveland.comnationalreview.comnytimes.comdispatch.comnews5cleveland.comthehill.comohnurses.orgfacebook.comjustfacts.votesmart.orges.wikipedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgnga.orgfec.govcongress.govdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.gov
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 12, 2026
Amy Acton has launched her first TV ads in the Ohio governor race, signaling a more aggressive push as the contest with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy tightens. She has also rolled out several policy proposals, including new property tax relief, stricter rules for data centers, and support for a ballot measure to lock Ohio’s voter ID requirement into the state constitution. At the same time, she is facing GOP attack ads, which her campaign says are misleading and politically motivated.
en.wikipedia.org+56
Articles
Ccleveland.com2 months ago
Amy Acton airs first TV ad in 2026 Ohio governor's race
Positive
Ccleveland.com3 months ago
Amy Acton backs Republican voter ID amendment, breaks with Ohio Democrats
Positive
Ccleveland.com3 months ago
Ramaswamy campaign, GOP allies sensationalize and distort facts in attacks on Amy Acton
Negative
CCCincinnati Cincinnati Enquirer3 months ago
Democrats say Ohioans can't get ahead, need change in 2026
Positive
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Amy Acton currently averages 38.7%, ranking second in this race, 20.3 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 38.7%Position: secondMargin: -20.3 ptsLatest poll: 50.0% (Oct 2 - 14)Polls included: 3
Average recalculated from polls through Oct 2 - 14.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising