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Democrat Amy Acton beats Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio governor’s race
Democrat Amy Acton has defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become Ohio’s next governor, ending a two-decade gap since the state last elected a Democratic governor. Her victory is also a first for Ohio: she is the first woman elected to the office.
Acton is a physician who served as the state’s top health official under outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine and faced attacks over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Spending on the closely fought race exceeded $100m. A late television ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother drew fierce backlash after it accused Acton of lying about her childhood and suggested she had a mental illness, while omitting that Acton was removed from her mother’s custody at 12 after her stepfather was charged with rape; Ramaswamy claimed responsibility for the ad and refused to withdraw it.
In short
- Amy Acton has won Ohio’s governorship for the Democrats.
- She is the first woman elected governor in Ohio.
- Campaign spending topped $100m amid a bitter contest.
Explained simply
Ohio’s governor leads the state government, which oversees services such as health, education and transport. Ohio has often backed Republican candidates in recent elections, and its last Democratic governor left office in 2011. The state’s choice of governor can therefore signal how voters feel about the parties beyond Ohio.
Amy Acton is a doctor who led Ohio’s health department under Republican Governor Mike DeWine, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vivek Ramaswamy is a businessman who sought the Republican nomination for US president in 2024 before entering the governor’s race. The contest also drew attention to the role of campaign spending and personal attacks in state elections.