CHICAGO — Dr. Amy Acton, who was one of the faces of the state of Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, is reportedly considering a run for governor in 2026.
In an interview with Jeremy Pelzer of Cleveland.com, a 3News media partner, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Acton stated she was looking at making a gubernatorial run because she has experience not only with state health policy, but issues like youth homelessness and housing.
“I have experience I just want to give back, and this is a time of my life where I can,” she told Pelzer.
Acton told Pelzer she has yet to make a final decision as she stays focused on helping this year’s three Democratic Ohio Supreme Court candidates and an upcoming redistricting reform ballot issue.
With current Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's term set to expire two years, several high-profile GOP figures -- including Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Attorney General Dave Yost, and Treasurer Robert Sprague -- are publicly vying for the Republican nomination. Acton is one of the few Ohio Democrats so far to indicate interest in running for governor.
Acton explored a run for U.S. Senate in 2021 after Sen. Rob Portman announced he would not be seeking reelection, but ultimately chose not to put her hat in the ring for the seat that was eventually won by JD Vance in 2022.
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After assuming the role of Ohio Department of Health Director under DeWine in 2019, Acton would take center stage during the critical early months of the coronavirus pandemic the following year. Despite earning national recognition for her work, Acton became a polarizing figure in the state, especially among Republicans who felt the state's measures had become too strict. She stepped down from her position with the ODH in June of 2020. In an interview with The New Yorker, Acton explained that she feared she would be forced to sign orders that would go against her Hippocratic oath to do no harm.
In 2023, Acton teamed up with 3News for a series of specials called "Health, Hope & Healing" to help provide context and science to critical public health issues, including the loneliness epidemic and food insecurity. The special was honored with a Gracie Award by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.