Whether Vivek Ramaswamy wins the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination is uncertain, and no less uncertain is his chances of winning the general election.
At this time, he has just one Democratic opponent contending for the office: Dr. Amy Acton. Other Democrats may contest her candidacy for the Democratic nomination, but none are being discussed as possibilities today who can match her star power and favorability with Democrats. A recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling shows Dr. Acton swamping potential Democratic competitors by over 20% in net favorability.
It is hard to imagine a candidate for any office with a more inspiring life story than JD Vance, the famous Ohioan and current U.S. Vice President. However, Acton might have one to rival even his. Growing up in true poverty and even experiencing a long winter of homelessness at one point, Acton possessed little more than her own determination and craving for knowledge.
Acton shared some of her life story at a gathering of the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus on Thursday night in Shaker Heights. She also talked about her work as the Ohio Health Director during the COVID lockdown era and praised Ohioans for flattening the curve.
“I did not flatten the curve in Ohio; Ohioans came together, and the curve was flattened,”
She did not mention how or why Ohioans “came together,” which was not done so voluntarily. Her orders and restrictions forced many Ohioans to upend their lives, many to close their businesses and even some to say goodbye to loved ones from behind glass windows or cellphone screens.
It remains unclear whether any of her orders forcing Ohioans to “come together” had any significant impact on flattening the curve. What is clear, however, is that the narrative surrounding her work as Health Director will become a key dividing campaign issue. Clearly, she is framing her work simply as an advisor and educator, conveniently failing to mention her government-enforced usurpations of liberty.
Not only will her record during the COVID lockdown era be a topic of debate regarding her candidacy, but so will her grasp of public policy unrelated to health. Undoubtedly, she is an expert physician, highly schooled, and articulate; however, she has yet to demonstrate any grasp of policy issues beyond platitudes about helping those who need help, coming together, and favoring public education.
On Thursday night Dr. Acton did nothing to answer these questions regarding her policy competence. During her speech, she offered no details regarding any policies she supports or will seek to change, a big contrast with Ramaswamy, who shot out of the gate with speeches full of vision for public policy.
During Q&A, Dr. Acton was asked about the emerging Intel fiasco. It was immediately evident she was not comfortable answering a question like that. In her response, she began by saying she is in favor of the work of JobsOhio, which, of course, was not the question asked of her.
From there, she fumbled an answer about how economic development directors around the state should be more involved in state planning. Then she ended her response by saying, “Unlike some of my opponents right now, I do not come out here with every answer because we need to listen. We are two years out and we will be going to every corner of Ohio to listen.”
Many will read that quote and assume it is a nice way of saying she has no idea what is going on with Intel, why, what the ramifications are, or what solutions might be needed, and she will be taking the next two years to figure it out. Democrats may be satisfied with that impression; it is not likely Ohio Republicans or Independents will be as receptive to it.
It will be interesting to watch her campaign unfold and to see how much of a political problem her time as Ohio Health Director will be for her, along with her apparent lack of public policy depth. Acton will be difficult to beat if the race boils down to a likeability contest. Her warmth, charm, and intelligence are all very natural. She is a hard person not to like.
