Acton has faced scrutiny for her work as Ohio’s public health director during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Amy Acton will face off against Vivek Ramaswamy as the Democratic candidate for Governor of Ohio in November.
Acton, 58, ran unopposed in her party’s primary and is attempting to be the first Democrat in 20 years to win the office in Ohio.
She grew up in the Youngstown area and was homeless at one time. She earned her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University, formerly known as the Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine.
She was Ohio’s public health director under Republican Governor Mike DeWine when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. During that time, she signed orders to close schools, shutter businesses, and restrict sporting events.
Acton is facing renewed scrutiny for her handling of the pandemic during her campaign for Ohio governor.
During the pandemic, Dr. Acton attended daily COVID-19 briefings with Governor DeWine to give updates to Ohioans on the state of the pandemic.
Ohio ranked 22nd among the states in its per capita death rate from the virus during the pandemic’s first year, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Acton left the position halfway through 2020 and moved on to nonprofit work and became more engaged in Democratic politics.
After resigning, she went back to work at the Columbus Foundation and helped found the Center for HumanKindness.
Ohio has become an increasingly Republican state over the past several years, but polls indicate that the race for governor could be competitive.
In a recent poll, Acton was found to be leading slightly over Ramaswamy.
Her campaign is heavily focused on improving affordability for Ohio residents.
Acton’s running mate, David Pepper, formerly served on Cincinnati’s city council and as a Hamilton County commissioner.
Her husband, Eric, is a teacher and coach in Bexley County Schools. They have six children together.
Dr. Acton will face former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in November.
