Governor of Ohio

Primary: May 5, 2026

Ohioans first came to know Dr. Amy Acton in the spring of 2020, when her calm, honest daily briefings as director of the Ohio Department of Health helped the state navigate the most frightening days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Dr. Acton’s story begins decades earlier in Youngstown, where she grew up amid poverty, housing instability, and abuse — at one point living in a tent through a northeast Ohio winter. Acton is unambiguous about who helped her survive that childhood: public school educators. Educators noticed her, believed in her, and showed her a path forward, and she has said repeatedly that she owes her life to Ohio’s public schools and the people who work in them. Dr. Acton worked her way through college and medical school, earning her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University and a master’s in public health from The Ohio State University, where she later served on the faculty of the College of Public Health.

Open seat

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited, and Republicans have rallied around Vivek Ramaswamy, who has the backing of both Trump and Vice President Vance. Democrats have a strong candidate in Dr. Amy Acton, and with Sherrod Brown driving massive turnout in the Senate race, the governor's race is poised to benefit directly from Ohio's biggest Democratic mobilization effort in years.

Ohio Republicans already hold a full trifecta and have used it aggressively to entrench their power through redistricting and election law changes. Flipping the governor's mansion would break that trifecta and give Democrats a veto in a state that is also home to one of the most competitive Senate races in the country, making a coordinated Democratic effort here one of the highest-leverage investments of the entire cycle.

"Our endorsement reflects a focus on outcomes: the highest quality work product, delivered safely on time and on budget by Ohio's skilled trades," said Matthew A. Szollosi, ACT Ohio's executive director. "Vivek Ramaswamy has shown a willingness to listen, engage and recognize the role that our members, contractors and training programs play in producing exceptional results for taxpayers and investors across the state." Szollosi added: "We look forward to working with Vivek and his team to create tens of thousands of jobs with great wages and family-sustaining benefits."

OAPFF Union President Jon Harvey said for the organization, the decision of who to endorse in a political race is bipartisan. He said they look for the candidate who cares the most about firefighter issues rather than a candidate of a specific party.

“Dr. Acton recognizes what collective bargaining means to this state, understands what unions mean to this state. She stood on the picket lines with our brothers and sisters,” Harvey said.

We have waited for a long time to elect someone as Ohio Governor who will put the citizens of Ohio First. Not be owned by the donors and special Interests or beholding to the political machine in Columbus. We want to DOGE Ohio and Vivek does as well! ALL Government Agencies in Ohio are in need of serious reform! Schools, City Governments, Police, Fire, County Governments - and Yes State Government! The fact is that the cost of government services in Ohio has exceeded the ability of the public to pay for them! Ramaswamy, like Trump, can self-fund his campaign and therefore cannot be bought - which is why the Columbus Cartel fears him and we support him.

We hear the attacks on Vivek from the Right and the Left. Some of the criticism is true, just like some of the criticism of Trump was true. We voted for Trump because he understood what We the People wanted him to do to Make America Great Again - and he is doing it! Vivek understands that what is holding Ohio back is inefficient government, too much government, and government that is simply too costly! We the People want to get government out of our way so our state, and we, can prosper. No "traditional" candidate could challenge the entrenched bureaucracies because they would be a product of them. That is why a total outsider like Vivek is the change agent we need to fix our state. Franky, we may never get this chance again. We urge all Ohioans to vote for Vivek Ramaswamy in the Republican Primary for Ohio Governor and help him make Ohio Great Again!

In a bold and historic move, the Ohio Corn & Wheat Political Action Committee is making its first gubernatorial endorsement in over thirty years. Today, with urgency and unity, the committee and its farmer members proudly endorse Vivek Ramaswamy to be the next governor of Ohio in 2026. Ohio’s corn and wheat farmers are ready for a leader who will stand with agriculture, fight for rural communities, and bring innovative solutions to the challenges they face. “This endorsement didn’t come lightly,” said Ray Van Horn, chair of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Political Action Committee. “We believe Vivek Ramaswamy will be a true ally for grain farmers in our state. We believe he is someone who will listen, seek input, and take bold, strategic action on the issues that matter most: water quality, ethanol expansion, and agricultural policy. In a time when our industry faces real uncertainty, we need a governor willing to stand with us and fight for real solutions.” “As a businessman, Vivek Ramaswamy understands what it means to face risks, make hard decisions, and lead through uncertainty—something Ohio’s grain farmers know all too well,” said John Schroeder, vice chair of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Political Action Committee. “I’ve had the chance to meet with Vivek personally and ask him tough questions about the serious issues farmers face every day. What I saw was a leader whom I can trust to fight for farmers. This endorsement is a step in the right direction and an opportunity to support a candidate who will bring fresh leadership to Columbus.” “For decades, Ohio Corn & Wheat has deliberately stayed out of political endorsements, but for too long, Ohio’s growers have remained silent while the challenges we face have grown louder. We are encouraged by the Ohio Corn & Wheat Political Action Committee’s decision to speak out”, said Tadd Nicholson, executive director of Ohio Corn & Wheat. “Vivek Ramaswamy has shown a sincere interest in listening to our concerns, and we believe him when he says that a strong agriculture industry is vital to Ohio’s future. We will continue to advocate for policies that matter—like making E15 permanently available—and we believe Vivek is the kind of unique leader who will not only listen, but act.”

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

Vote Dr. Amy Acton for Governor and David Pepper for Lt. Governor. Amy will tackle rising costs, stand up to the corporate special interests and billionaires trying to buy Ohio, and put working families first.

“Vivek Ramaswamy shares our values and understands the importance of investing in Ohio’s workforce,” Powell said.

“Dr. Amy Acton understands that safe patient care starts with supporting the nurses and health professionals on the front lines. She has consistently stood for policies that lower healthcare costs, protect working families, and strengthen our healthcare system from the ground up,” said Rick Lucas, President and Executive Director of the Ohio Nurses Association. “At a time when too many communities, especially rural areas, are facing growing barriers to care, we need leadership that will invest in access, accountability, and a workforce that can safely meet patients’ needs. That’s why the Ohio Nurses Association is proud to stand with her.”

these candidates have demonstrated a commitment to protecting innocent human life, supporting women and families, and advancing public policies that recognize the dignity of every human being.

DR. AMY ACTON/DAVID PEPPER forOhio Gov/Ohio Lt. Gov

The Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio Endorses Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio Governor. Kate Makra, President, states “Vivek is unequivocally pro-Life, as he is convicted in his belief that life begins at conception. The Coalition looks forward to partnering with Vivek to foster a more vibrant culture of life in Ohio.” Vivek is an action-oriented leader who is committed to curbing the tide of abortion in Ohio. Vivek was a strong voice to defeat Issue 1 in 2023, the Constitutional Amendment to enshrine abortion into Ohio’s Constitution by offering his time, talents and treasure. RTLACO believes Vivek Ramaswamy is unapologetically pro-life and will fight for all Ohioans, born and unborn.

citing what they described as her career of public service and deep commitment to Ohio’s unions and working families.