Amy Acton first woman elected Ohio governor, first Democrat in 20 years

Democratic Dr. Amy Acton won the Ohio governor's race, defeating President Donald Trump-backed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, according to multiple national media outlets.

Acton, the state's former health director during the COVID pandemic, was leading 50%-46%, according to unofficial election results. Acton broke Democrats' 20-year losing streak in gubernatorial elections in a state that Trump won three times.

"I am in this fight for all of us. My promise to Ohio, to those who voted for me and those who did not, is that I will work with anyone and everyone, as I always have, to make life better for Ohio," Acton said at a victory rally Nov. 3 in Columbus.

Libertarian Don Kissick had more than 3% of the vote.

In her victory, Acton becomes the state's first woman elected governor. Republican Nancy Hollister previously held the role for 11 days.

Personal attacks marked the ugly political race , and none was as personal as the ad Ramaswamy launched featuring Acton's estranged mother in the final weeks of the campaign. I n the ad, Donna Arthur accused her daughter of lying about her opponent and her past. 

Acton, a Youngstown native, has talked about her rough upbringing, which included abuse, neglect and, at times, homelessness. Arthur lost custody of her children after siding with her husband, who was accused of sexually abusing a young Acton. Acton said she hadn't spoken to her mother since 1978.  

But the ad backfired on Ramaswamy as Ohioans learned more about Acton's resilience and grit. Voters shared their own stories of broken homes and tough upbringings, she said.  

"As a child, I experienced abuse and neglect, and I could have never imagined going from homeless to being a doctor, let alone I would be standing here as the next governor of Ohio," Acton said.

Beyond the ad, Acton capitalized on voters' frustration with high costs, the Trump presidency and nationwide anti-Republican sentiment. Acton, who had never mounted a political campaign before, ran as the change candidate in a state looking for change.  

"I'm very excited that people are ready to start building an Ohio that gives a kid like me, growing up in Youngstown, a chance," Acton said at a campaign stop at Fox's Bagel and Deli near her Bexley home.  

Acton described herself as the "Ted Lasso of politics" and talked about her personal history of overcoming homelessness in Youngstown. She drove a Jeep Wrangler with the license plate that read "SOOOHIO" while Ramaswamy spent campaign cash on a private jet.   

A graduate of Youngstown State University and Northeast Ohio Medical University, Acton touted the importance of a public education as Ramaswamy disparaged teachers' unions and floated consolidating universities.  

Ramaswamy said it was a difficult night for Republicans in Ohio and across the country but said he called Acton and left a message to congratulate her.

"I wish her well to lead this state to hopefully greater heights in the future," Ramaswamy told reporters at a GOP election event in Columbus. "It was a tough race. It was bitter, at times, in both directions. But the time tomorrow is to hopefully have her leadership bring this state together. I have hope and confidence that she will do what is required to bring Ohio together."

Acton was best known as DeWine's state health director during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. She won both praise and scorn for her approach to the public health crisis. Republicans slammed her for quitting the job, but Acton said she left to take a principled stance against a corrupt GOP politician.  

As a gubernatorial candidate, Acton overcame hundreds of millions of attack ads from Ramaswamy and his allies, many of which were deeply personal and distorted. But Acton's impressive fundraising haul allowed her to get her own message out. She refused to debate Ramaswamy before the election, citing his personal attacks.  

In the final month of the race, Trump and Vice President JD Vance barnstormed the state to increase GOP turnout, but the effort fell flat in the governor's race.  

Acton campaigned on targeted property and income tax relief, fully funding K-12 education and exacting concessions from data centers. She took a more moderate approach on several issues, including transgender issues, voter ID, work requirements for Medicaid and allowing Republicans in her administration. 

She campaigned as a change candidate as polls suggested Ohioans were frustrated with the direction of the state and nation. Acton's campaign signs featured a rising sun, which was inspired by the seal of the state of Ohio.  

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Amy Acton first woman elected Ohio governor, first Democrat in 20 years