Democrat Dr Amy Acton has won the race for governor of Ohio, defeating Trump-backed Indian-American Republican candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, to become the first woman elected to the state’s top office.Her victory also marks the first time in 20 years that a Democrat has won the governorship.Acton, a public health physician and former Ohio health director during the Covid-19 pandemic, overcame more than $100 million spent against her by Ramaswamy and his Republican allies.She will succeed Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who is barred from seeking another term.The 60-year-old built her campaign around affordability and improved access to healthcare, appealing to working- and middle-class voters by highlighting her personal background.
US Midterm Election Results 2026
An Ohio native, Acton has spoken about spending part of her childhood homeless and living in a tent for one winter.Her victory comes as Democrats seek to regain ground in Ohio, where voters have increasingly shifted towards Republicans during Donald Trump’s political rise.
Acton capitalises on affordability concerns and Ramaswamy’s wealth
Acton’s campaign sought to portray Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire and former 2024 presidential candidate, as out of touch with ordinary voters facing higher living costs.The campaign highlighted concerns over the cost of living, fuel prices and the impact of Trump’s tariffs. Ramaswamy and his Republican allies spent more than $100 million during the contest.Billionaire Elon Musk also contributed at least $5 million to a political action committee aligned with the Republican candidate, according to the AP.Acton won despite repeated campaign appearances by Trump and Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native, who travelled to the state in the final weeks to rally support for Ramaswamy and Republican Senator Jon Husted.Ramaswamy had secured early backing from Ohio Republicans, with DeWine appointing Husted, then the leading Republican contender for governor, to the US Senate after Vance vacated the seat to become vice-president.The decision to endorse Ramaswamy, a newcomer to Ohio politics, forced several established Republican politicians, including the state attorney general and treasurer, to reconsider their political plans.Ramaswamy also faced resistance during the Republican primary from Casey “The Car Guy” Putsch, a vehicle designer and YouTube personality whose campaign attracted nearly 18 per cent of the Republican vote despite spending only $130,000. Putsch later announced that he planned to vote for Acton.
Attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother sparks backlash
The campaign was also marked by controversy over an advertisement aired by Ramaswamy in its final month. The 60-second spot featured Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her daughter of lying about her upbringing and urging voters not to support her.Arthur called Acton “a liar” with a “serious problem” with being honest about her past. The advertisement drew criticism after details emerged about the family’s history. Arthur had been estranged from Acton for nearly 50 years and had lost custody of her children after her husband, their stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton when she was a child.The man pleaded not guilty and fled the state before he could stand trial, the AP reported.The advertisement initially surfaced online before Ramaswamy claimed responsibility for it. He defended the campaign as a criticism of what he described as a pattern of deception by Acton, disputing claims that it questioned whether she had been abused as a child.Trump and Vance defended Ramaswamy’s decision to use the advertisement. Trump also expressed jealousy that he had never had the opportunity to run a similar attack against a political rival.However, the advertisement triggered bipartisan criticism, including from five former Ohio governors, senior politicians from both parties, women’s groups and several hundred alumni of Ramaswamy’s Catholic high school in Cincinnati. Critics described it as gutter politics and called on him to withdraw it.The campaign eventually took the advertisement off the air about a week before Election Day, after spending roughly a quarter of the $4 million advertising budget it had announced.
Former pandemic health director returns to state leadership
Acton became one of Ohio Democrats’ most recognisable figures during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, when she appeared in statewide broadcasts alongside DeWine and Husted.During the campaign, Ramaswamy and his allies criticised her role in the state’s pandemic response, arguing that she had been too aggressive in shutting down schools and businesses. DeWine defended his former health director, saying responsibility for the decisions ultimately rested with him, although he continued to endorse Ramaswamy.Acton enters the governor’s office without having previously held elected office. Her predecessor, DeWine, is 79 and is expected to retire from electoral politics after five decades in public life.
