Dr. Amy Acton addresses reporters at a news conference in 2020. (Ohio Capital Journal photo by Jake Zuckerman.)
Former Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton announced on Tuesday that she is running for Ohio governor in 2026.
“Today, I filed papers to run for Governor because I refuse to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while self-serving politicians and special interests take our state in the wrong direction,” she said in a statement. “It’s time to give power back to the people and our communities. It’s time for a change.”
Acton is running as a Democrat while Ohio has become increasingly more Republican in recent years. Ohio Supreme Court Judge Jennifer Brunner is the only Democrat in statewide office in Ohio. Acton first hinted at a run for governor during the summer at the Democratic National Convention.
“I’m a doctor, not a politician,” Acton said in her statement. “I solve problems by bringing people together regardless of party to find solutions. So unlike most of our leaders I know the answer to moving our state forward isn’t giving politicians more power, it’s giving people more freedom.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is term-limited. On the Republican side, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost plans on running for governor. Former Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is also a potential GOP contender. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has also expressed interest in running for governor, but he currently appears to be the front-runner to be appointed to fill J.D. Vance’s soon-to-be-open U.S. Senate seat. DeWine has yet to announce his pick, a task he must do before the Jan. 20 inauguration.
For the Democrats, there is speculation about whether Ohio Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, will also run for governor.
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DeWine appointed Acton to be ODH director in 2019 and she quickly became a household name in Ohio during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. She accompanied DeWine during his daily afternoon press conferences in the spring of 2020, donning her white lab coat, and helped translate complex medical terminology into plain English.
She received a mix of praise and criticism during this time, and protesters even showed up to her Bexley house. Acton resigned as ODH Director in June 2020 — months after Ohio’s first confirmed COVID-19 case.
After her time on DeWine’s cabinet, she went back to work at the Columbus Foundation and helped found the Center for HumanKindness.
“My entire career I’ve been listening to Ohioans … and I’ve developed a deep connection with people across our state,” Acton said in her statement. “People share their struggles with me and how hard they work to keep up with the cost of groceries, childcare, healthcare, and other expenses. They feel left behind and like no one cares.”
Acton grew up in Youngstown — experiencing homelessness at one point.
“I remember what it was like to feel hungry, worry about where I would sleep, and how I would stay warm,” Acton said. “At times I felt invisible–and I know that so many Ohioans feel the same way.”
She went on to earn a medical degree from what was formerly called the Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine and received a master’s degree in public health from Ohio State University.
“I believe we can build an Ohio where our people have a little breathing room–an Ohio where your zip code doesn’t determine success,” Acton said. “An Ohio that empowers local communities, not politicians. An Ohio with good-paying jobs, safe neighborhoods and thriving businesses where people can raise their families, age with dignity, and lead a happy and healthy life.”
Acton lives in Bexley with her husband Eric, who is a teacher and coach in Bexley City Schools. Together they have six children.
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