Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
38.7%
59%
34.3%
Democrat
Amy Acton
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
EducationNortheastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (M.D.)
Notable personal detailsAmy Leigh Acton is an American physician and public health leader who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health during the early COVID-19 response in 2020. She has worked in clinical medicine, public health practice, and health policy and has been affiliated with Ohio public health and medical institutions. Acton is the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio in the 2026 election and is running on a joint ticket with David Pepper for lieutenant governor.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgdemocrats.orgapnews.comneomed.eduwikidata.orgdemocratsworkforamerica.orgwosu.orgdramyacton.orgwashingtonpost.comsignalohio.orgstatenews.orgohiocapitaljournal.comideastream.orgtoledofreepress.comdemocraticgovernors.orgcleveland19.comes.wikipedia.orgaxios.comboe.ohio.govactonforgovernor.comohio.newswlwt.comopencampaign.comfarmanddairy.combutlercountydems.orgoft-aft.orgnewsforce247.comrivernews.orgafge.orguaw.orgplannedparenthoodaction.orgtiffinohio.netabc6onyourside.comocseavotes.orgnbc4i.comdemocraticredistricting.comcleveland.comdispatch.comerininthemorning.comyahoo.comfacebook.cominstagram.comballotready.orgdocquery.fec.govlegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govfr.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgnga.orgcongress.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 updatedMar 12, 2026
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign has raised $19.8 million in 2025, with a significant portion from small donors. He holds a cash advantage over Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who has raised $5.3 million. Acton is considered the likely Democratic nominee after Tim Ryan decided not to run.
en.wikipedia.org+52
Polls
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Amy Acton for Ohio Democratic Governor nominee?
Ohio Iron Workers Association
Elected official
Ohio Iron Workers Association endorsed Amy Acton’s campaign for governor
Reproductive Freedom for All
Elected official
Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed Amy Acton’s campaign for governor
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund
Elected official
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund endorsed Amy Acton for governor
United Steelworkers District 1
Elected official
United Steelworkers District 1 endorsed Amy Acton's campaign for governor
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
Elected official
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union endorsed Amy Acton for governor
AFSCME Ohio Council 8
Elected official
AFSCME Ohio Council 8 endorsed Amy Acton for governor
AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1184
Elected official
AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1184 endorsed Amy Acton for governor
Ohio's largest public unions
Elected official
Ohio's largest public unions endorsed Amy Acton for governor
Leadership Now PAC
Elected official
Leadership Now PAC 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
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
United Auto Workers
Elected official
United Auto Workers endorsed Amy Acton for governor of Ohio
Communications Workers of America District 4
Elected official
Communications Workers of America District 4 endorsed Amy Acton for governor of Ohio
Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America
Elected official
Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America endorsed Amy Acton for governor of Ohio
North Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council
Elected official
Lima Building and Construction Trades Council 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 Council
Elected official
Lima Building and Construction Trades Council endorsed Amy Acton for governor
Ohio State Council of Machinists
Elected official
Ohio State Council of Machinists endorsed Amy Acton for governor
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising