By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Dr. Amy Acton secured a stunning victory in the Ohio governor's race on Tuesday, becoming the first Democrat to win the post in 20 years and the first woman elected to the state's highest office. She defeated Trump-backed Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire and former presidential candidate, despite more than $100 million spent against her.
Attack ad sparks bipartisan condemnation
The contest was roiled in its final month when Ramaswamy aired an attack advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who accused Acton of lying about her upbringing. The ad drew bipartisan condemnation because Arthur lost custody of her children decades ago after her husband, the children’s stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton as a child. The commercial was pulled about a week before the election after sharp criticism from five Ohio governors, leaders from both parties, women’s groups, and alumni of Ramaswamy’s Catholic high school. Both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the ad, with Trump expressing jealousy over its aggressiveness.
Campaign contrasts wealth and economic strain
Acton’s campaign capitalized on Ramaswamy’s wealth to portray him as out of touch with voters facing economic strains, including tariffs, high living costs, and rising fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. Elon Musk directed at least $5 million to a political action committee supporting Ramaswamy.
Republican primary challenge and DeWine's role
Ohio Republicans had unified around Ramaswamy early, but his path was smoothed when outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine appointed his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to the Senate. DeWine, whom Acton served alongside during the pandemic, endorsed Ramaswamy throughout the race despite defending his former Cabinet member against criticism of pandemic closures. Ramaswamy faced primary resistance from vehicle designer Casey “The Car Guy” Putsch, whose $130,000 campaign captured nearly 18% of the Republican primary vote with veiled ethnic and religious attacks. Putsch later announced plans to vote for Acton in the general election.
Acton, 60, a public health physician and former state health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, ran on affordability and expanding healthcare access. She appealed to working- and middle-class voters by highlighting her background as an Ohio native who experienced childhood homelessness. She replaces DeWine, who faces term limits after 50 years in elective politics, and enters office without prior elective experience.
