Greetings all. One of the most exciting developments of this year of opportunity for Democrats is how competitive Ohio has become. Poll after poll show both the race for Governor and Senate dead even in a state Trump carried by 11 points in 2024. Today I am pleased to be able to share with you an interview with one of our most dynamic candidates of the cycle, Dr. Amy Acton, a first time candidate who is running even with Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio Govenor’s race. A video recording and rough transcript of our discussion are above.
Here is Dr. Acton on why she’s running:
“I'm running for governor because people in the state are struggling. They are doing everything right — people are working harder than they've ever worked. The cost of living is real. Health care, child care, housing, electric bills going up, property taxes going up — the list goes on and on. And bad actors, special interests keep taking [Ohio] backwards….. I’m fighting to make life affordable in my state again. I’m fighting to end the corruption. And I’m fighting to do things like save our public schools and libraries, and so many other things that are systematically under attack.”
And here she is talking about the remarkable enthusiasm she is feeling on the ground:
“In Ohio, it's exciting right now, because of this constituency everywhere I go, Simon….. I went to Fulton County, Ohio, which is right outside Toledo — not a Dem bastion. Their Dem dinner usually has 15 to 30 people. We had 320 show up from six surrounding counties, and it was full of lifelong Republicans and independents. This has repeated everywhere we've gone. It showed up in our primary numbers. We had the most votes for a Democratic candidate in all of history since 1940, recorded history on both sides in a primary that I'd already cleared the field on.”
Yes, with all the votes counted, we know now something remarkable happened in the Ohio primaries last week - Amy Acton got more primary votes than any candidate who has run for governor in the history of Ohio. And this come in a primary where neither the Democratic Senatorial or Gubernatorial race was seriously contested. It’s incredibly encouraging…..
You can support Dr. Acton through our Winning Ohio campaign that splits contributions evenly among Sherrod Brown for Senate, Acton-Pepper for Governor and Lt. Gov, and the Democratic Party of Ohio. We’ve already raised more than $140,000 towards our June 30th fundraising goal of $250,000 - please consider chipping in today, and thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!
Finally, this race is important for as our friend David Pepper (who is now Dr. Acton’s running mate) has documented Ohio Republicans have been among the most corrupt and destructive leaders of any state in the country in recent decades, creating what David famously labeled a “laboratory of autocracy.” And as we know now post-Callais winning any part of the redistricting process - governor, state senate, state house - has become a far more urgent national priority. So winning the Governorship here is a national, not just a local, imperative, and this year we have both a great candidate - Dr. Acton - and a very, very strong statewide ticket. Here is how professor Robert Alexander summarized a recent comprehensive Bowling Green State University poll:
“Every sign is pointing to close races for governor and U.S. Senate in Ohio. President Trump is generally unpopular, Democrats are far more enthusiastic, and the economy is a major concern for voters. Taken together, this midterm likely provides the best opportunity for Democrats to win statewide offices in 20 years.”
Enjoy meeting one of our very best candidates this cycle, and keep working hard all. We have a country to save, and elections to win, together - Simon
Bio - Dr. Amy Acton, “Mother, Doctor, Fighter” And Our Candidate For Ohio Governor
Growing up in Youngstown, in a family who’d worked in the steel mills, Amy Acton faced a difficult childhood—overcoming abuse, hunger, and periods of homelessness. That challenging upbringing molded the values and determination that have shaped a career dedicated to lifting others. From working as a waitress to delivering newspapers, Amy worked her way out of poverty and put herself through college and medical school to become a doctor. She experienced firsthand what so many Ohio families face today — working harder than ever and still feeling like they’re falling behind.
After medical school, she began a lifelong focus on children’s health. Her first assignment was a pediatrics residency tackling the horrific consequences of the crack cocaine epidemic in children. She then began a residency at Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University, where she trained in pediatrics and preventive medicine. There, she created the first-ever residency rotation in child advocacy and gained a master’s degree in public health. Amy emerged as a community leader for children’s health as the Director of Project L.O.V.E, a partnership between Columbus area hospitals and community stakeholders focused on preventive health for Columbus-area children. She also joined the faculty at Ohio State University, where she became an award-winning professor of maternal and child health and global public health.
Dr. Acton later joined the Columbus Foundation, where she led on a wide variety of community health issues, from youth homelessness to women’s health.
In 2019, Governor DeWine asked Amy to serve in his administration as the Director of the Ohio Department of Public Health. Amy put partisanship aside to serve the people of Ohio. Amid a wide variety of issues, she worked with Republicans and Democrats throughout the state to hold the big drug companies accountable for the opioid epidemic and shape a historic settlement to fund addiction recovery programs. When the pandemic hit, her steady leadership and voice for common sense not only saved countless lives but also helped Ohio’s economy and schools open earlier than other states. For her leadership, Amy earned a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2021 and was named Woman of the Year for Ohio by USA Today in 2022.
Following her service in the DeWine administration, Dr. Acton returned to the Columbus Foundation and helped found the Center for Human Kindness, then worked with CEOs, mayors, and community advocates to launch Rapid 5, a nonprofit to integrate the region’s park system and waterways, while lifting health and economic wellness. She also partnered with WKYC on an award-winning series called Health, Hope & Healing, where she spoke to Ohioans about the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they’re using to move themselves forward.
Now, Amy’s running for Governor because she refuses to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while politicians in Columbus cater to billionaires and corporations.
Amy lives in Bexley, Ohio with her husband, Eric, a lifelong teacher and coach in Bexley Public Schools. Together they have six kids and enjoy traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with their good friends and growing family.
