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Amy Acton wins Ohio governor, defeats Vivek Ramaswamy

politicsNov 4, 2026422,692

Democrat Amy Acton has defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to win Ohio’s governor’s race, NBC News projects. Acton, 60, becomes the first woman elected governor in Ohio and the first Democrat to win the office since Ted Strickland in 2006. The closing weeks grew acrimonious after Ramaswamy’s campaign spent $4 million to air an ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, who called her a liar; Acton says she has not spoken with her mother in nearly 50 years and has accused her mother’s then-husband of sexually abusing her as a child. Ramaswamy, 41, ran despite an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and advice from top strategists tied to his and Vice President J. D. Vance’s teams; a pro-Ramaswamy super PAC accepted millions from Elon Musk and Jeffrey Yass. Acton served as Ohio’s health director under Gov. Mike DeWine during the early Covid pandemic and framed her victory as a choice for “unity and decency,” telling supporters in Columbus that “the healing begins today.” Ramaswamy called the race “tough” and said he hoped Acton could bring Ohio together. Acton will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine when she takes office.

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