Amy Acton ends 16 years of GOP rule in Ohio, defeats Vivek Ramaswamy after controversial ad row
WASHINGTON, DC: Democrat Amy Acton is set to flip the Ohio governor’s mansion after winning the state that Donald Trump carried three times.
The 66-year-old physician defeated Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in a highly contested race to end 16 years of Republican control of the governor’s office.
Acton, who led Ohio’s health department through the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic, is the first Democrat to win the post since Ted Strickland in 2006.
She will also become the first woman to be elected governor of the state. Former Lt Gov Nancy Hollister served as governor for 11 days in 1999 after Republican Gov. George Voinovich moved on to the Senate.
Amy Acton hails Ohio for choosing ‘unity’
The Associated Press called the race for Acton on Tuesday evening, reporting that Acton secured 50.8% of the vote with 86% of ballots counted.
Meanwhile, her Republican opponent, Ramaswamy, who managed to get President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance's endorsement, received only 45.9%.
The result marks a setback for Republicans, who had entered the race with confidence in a state Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 presidential election.
“Tonight, Ohio has chosen unity and decency over division and hate,” Acton said in a statement. “Ohio is ready for a Governor who will fight to lower costs, take on corruption, and build a state where everyone gets a fair shot.”
“Regardless of who you voted for, I will be a governor for all Ohioans. This isn’t about party; it’s about building a better future for our state,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ramaswamy described Tuesday's midterm elections as a "tough and challenging" night for Republicans.
"Thank you for all of you for being here tonight. As you've probably seen it is a tough and challenging night for Republicans across the country and a tough night for us here in Ohio,” he told his supporters at an election night watch party in Columbus shortly after Acton was declared the winner.
Ramaswamy also acknowledged that the campaign "was bitter in both directions at times."
Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy’s ugly battle comes to an end
The race, which was an open battle since current Republican Gov. Mike DeWine was restricted from running again because of term limits, was often defined as “ugly”, with millions of dollars spent on attack ads.
Ramaswamy designed his campaign on the promise that he would revive the American Dream by making Ohio income-tax free in a decade, cutting energy bills, and restoring “law and order” to Ohio’s cities.
Acton, meanwhile, campaigned on affordability, pledging to introduce an earned income tax credit, a child tax credit of up to $1,000, a public prescription drug platform and property tax relief for seniors and middle-income homeowners.
She also presented herself as a pragmatist, highlighting her experience serving in Republican Gov. Mike DeWine's administration.
In the final weeks before Election Day, however, the contest turned increasingly bitter and became one of the most expensive races in the country.
Ramaswamy's campaign aired a controversial advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother, who called her a liar. Acton's mother had lost custody of her after her husband, Acton's stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton when she was 12.
The advertisement sparked criticism from politicians across party lines, with several urging Ramaswamy to withdraw it and issue an apology.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance, however, publicly backed the minute-long spot. Ramaswamy's campaign reportedly planned to spend $4 million broadcasting it before the advertisement was eventually pulled last week.
