AVON, Ohio — Dr. Amy Acton, former state health director and Democratic candidate for Ohio governor in 2026, spoke to a crowd of more than 60 people Tuesday night at the Big Top Brewhouse in Avon, sharing her personal story and vision for Ohio’s future.
Hosted by the Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club, the event highlighted Acton’s message of equity, education, and public service. It also served as a call to action in a state that has never elected a woman governor.
“It’s a myth a woman can’t win in Ohio,” Acton said.
A pediatric doctor and public health advocate, Acton became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic when she led Ohio’s early response under Republican Governor Mike DeWine. Her calm presence during daily briefings earned praise—and controversy—as she navigated shutdowns, public protests, and rapidly changing science. She later resigned as director in 2020 after declining to sign what she described as “political” orders.
Now, at 59, Acton is running on what she calls a “fierce commitment to social justice,” with priorities including public health, education, and restoring trust in government.
“People are struggling,” Acton told attendees. “This state is going backwards on nearly every measure—from public health to public education, from health care to higher education to losing its best and brightest young people to other states.”
Her remarks were deeply personal. Acton spoke of growing up in poverty in Youngstown, where her family once lived in a tent. She credited schools and libraries with changing the trajectory of her life, saying they “saved [her] life” and gave her a safe place to eat and learn.
She went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University, followed by a master’s in public health and a medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. Her career has included working with pediatric HIV patients and serving at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Acton emphasized that many health outcomes are shaped more by geography than genetics. “Your ZIP code can affect you more than your genetic code,” she said.
Throughout her speech, Acton made a broader appeal to unity and cross-party collaboration. She noted that Republicans have attended her events and expressed willingness to work together.
“This is not an impossible task we set before ourselves,” she said. “The best way to solve problems is to get multiple people with different opinions to sit at the same table.”
As the 2026 race begins to take shape, Acton joins a growing list of contenders vying to replace term-limited Governor Mike DeWine. On the Republican side, candidates include Attorney General Dave Yost, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and school board member Heather Hill.
To learn more about Amy Acton’s campaign or to get involved, visit www.actonforgovernor.com.