US midterm elections: Democrat Amy Acton wins Ohio governor's race

In Ohio's gubernatorial race, Democrat Amy Acton emerged victorious over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, securing a 51 percent vote share to Ramaswamy's 45 percent. Acton declared, "We are going to build an Ohio where everyone gets a fair shot, and every kid like me has the opportunity to reach their full potential" during an election night celebration at a downtown Columbus Hilton.

Since 2004, Ohio had not elected a Democratic governor, marking a shift in the state's political landscape. While Donald Trump carried Ohio by 8 points in both 2016 and 2020, Ramaswamy's performance in 2024 was significantly lower, trailing the Democratic ticket by 11 percent.

As a physician, Acton served as the director of Ohio's Department of Health during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although she, along with GOP Governor Mike DeWine, dictated state policies, Republicans have attempted to label her "Dr. Lockdown" due to temporary school and business closures in 2020. The state's vaccination rate, while not exceptional, did not directly impact Acton's electoral prospects.

Facing stiff competition from Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech entrepreneur, Acton's campaign centered on ending corruption, introducing tax cuts for working families, and aiding the elderly in aging in place. Polls indicated Acton was marginally ahead in late October before Ramaswamy's controversial attack ad surfaced. The 60-second ad featured Acton's 82-year-old mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her estranged daughter of being a "liar."

The ad, deeply personal and factually inaccurate, tarnished Ramaswamy's image, leading many Ohio voters to view him as morally reprehensible.