Politics · United States · 59 mins ago
Amy Acton defeats Vivek Ramaswamy to win Ohio governor's race
Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to win the Ohio governor’s race in the US midterm elections.
Acton, a physician and former head of Ohio’s health department, will replace term-limited Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
She is the first woman elected governor of Ohio and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2006.
Ohio has leaned Republican in recent years, and Donald Trump won the state by a wide margin in 2024.
Ramaswamy had Trump’s endorsement, but his campaign faced criticism over an ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, who accused her of lying about her childhood.
Acton has said she was sexually abused as a child by her mother’s then-husband and that her mother did not protect her.
Ramaswamy conceded and said he was rooting for Acton, who said she would work with people across the state.
Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to win Ohio’s governorship.
Acton will be the first woman elected governor of Ohio and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2006.
The bitter campaign included a controversial ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, which drew criticism from politicians of both parties.
Acton is a physician who led Ohio’s health department during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ramaswamy campaigned on cutting taxes and energy bills, while Acton focused on lowering costs and expanding tax credits and health-care access.
- Who
- Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
- What
- Acton was elected governor of Ohio.
- When
- Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026; results were reported on November 4.
- Where
- Ohio, United States.
- Why
- Voters chose Acton over Ramaswamy; the sources do not state a single reason for her victory.
Amy Acton
Vivek Ramaswamy
Campaign priorities
Amy Acton
Acton emphasized lowering costs, tax credits, prescription-drug access and property-tax relief.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy promised to make Ohio income-tax free in a decade, cut energy bills and restore law and order.
Campaign advertising
Amy Acton
Acton faced attacks over her role in pandemic shutdowns and criticism of an ad featuring her estranged mother.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy’s campaign aired the ad featuring Acton’s mother; it eventually discontinued it after backlash.
Political outlook
Amy Acton
Acton presented herself as a pragmatist who had served in a Republican administration.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy ran as a Republican backed by Donald Trump.
Acton’s mother lost custody of her after Acton’s stepfather was charged with raping her when she was 12.
Ramaswamy and his allies had spent more than $100m on ads against Acton, according to the Guardian.
Ramaswamy’s campaign released an ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, according to the Daily Mail.
Ramaswamy bowed to pressure and his campaign discontinued the ad.
Acton and Ramaswamy made their final arguments to Ohio voters on Election Day.
Reports said Acton had won the governorship.
- Winner
- Amy Acton
- Opponent
- Vivek Ramaswamy
- State
- Ohio
- First Democrat elected governor since
- 2006
- Campaign spending
- More than $100m, according to Al Jazeera
- Vote count reported
- Acton 50.7%; Ramaswamy 46%, with 85% counted
7 sources
US midterms: Democrat Amy Acton defeats Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio governor race
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Amy Acton wins Ohio governor after bitter race with billionaire Ramaswamy
Democrat Amy Acton beats Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio governor's race
Amy Acton wins Ohio race for governor, ending 16 years of Republican control of office
Vivek Ramaswamy loses Ohio governor's race after controversial ad torpedoes struggling campaign
Acton and Ramaswamy make final case to voters on Election Day
What people are saying
deeply, deeply troubling
a radical left lunatic
law and order