COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — In an exclusive interview, Dr. Amy Acton revealed the reasons behind her decision to run for Ohio governor and discussed the contentious disagreement that led to her resignation as the state’s health director.
Acton, who has entered the race as a Democrat, becomes the first from her party to do so. Despite Republicans holding all statewide offices and dominating both U.S. Senate seats, she’s determined to make a change.
“I’m a doctor, not a politician,” Acton said in a candid interview with NBC4’s Colleen Marshall. “And the thing I’m most not is a pundit.”
But Acton is not shying away from the political spotlight. She believes Ohio needs a fresh, forward-thinking plan. Drawing from her personal struggles and the challenges faced by Ohioans, Acton shared her vision for the future.
“I’m a very hopeful person. I’ve lived through a lot of hardship in my own life. I’ve experienced a lot of the struggles that Ohioans are experiencing. But we define hope in my team as optimism, plus a plan,” she said.
Taking a grassroots approach, Acton emphasized that her campaign will be based on listening to the people. She’s been meeting with Ohioans to understand their struggles, and her upcoming plan will address the issues that matter most to them.
“We will be putting together a plan that is not partisan,” Acton explained. “It will be centered on the issues that we care about most.”
As the race heats up, Republicans who have already announced their candidacy or are expected to join the race include Morgan County resident Heather Hill, billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, state Treasurer Robert Sprague, and state Attorney General Dave Yost. Ohio’s current Governor, Mike DeWine, is ineligible for a third term.
Acton gained widespread attention during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She became a familiar face at daily briefings with Governor DeWine, offering a calm and reasoned approach as the public navigated the unknowns of the virus. Her demeanor during those briefings highlighted her potential as a steady leader.
“Ohioans are telling me they’re tired of vitriol, they’re tired of hate, and they want to see us focusing on the issues that really matter to them,” Acton said.
While she advocated for mask mandates and social distancing during the pandemic, it was not these measures that led to her resignation in June 2020. Acton explained that the turning point came when she faced immense pressure to allow fairs to open during the pandemic, a decision she felt was unsupported by science.
“There was a real pressure on the governor and on me to sign orders. And this one order in particular was the final straw for me. It was to open the fairs,” Acton recalled. “We were just, if you remember, beginning to open businesses and finally stabilizing our hospitals. And it was pressure for fairs to be opened in a way that there was no science for.”
The path to the Ohio governor’s office is just beginning, with the general election scheduled for November 2026. For Acton, this race is more than just politics—it’s about offering Ohioans a hopeful future through collaboration and clear action.
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