Dr. Amy Acton (left), the 2026 Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, and her running mate David Pepper (right), former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. (Left photo: WEWS, right photo shared.)
Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton and her newly announced running mate David Pepper met with several central Ohioans to discuss affordability during a roundtable event Wednesday.
Acton, a former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is believed to be the Democratic candidate running for governor, and this week’s pick for lieutenant governor was Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic chairwoman. Wednesday’s roundtable at Katalina’s in Bexley, where Acton lives, was their first public appearance together.
“I get memes all the time now, Dr. Pepper,” Acton joked.
More seriously, Acton spoke about Pepper’s years of involvement in Ohio and the skills he brings as a lawyer.
“He speaks up and fights tirelessly,” Acton said. “David, as a lawyer, presents things that are very unique as a person who will be the greatest enemy of corruption.”
Pepper spoke highly of Acton, referring to her time helping lead the state during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I greatly admired her leadership during challenging times, watched her save lives, took her marching orders, and as I watched her run and especially commit, I thought she was an incredibly astute candidate,” Pepper said.
Acton travels around the state, listening to people share their stories.
“It’s part of something that means a lot to us – hearing from people about what’s really going on in their lives,” she said.
Leader of the Republican Party Earlier this week, Vivek Ramaswamy selected Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who appointed Acton as ODH director in 2019, endorsed Ramaswamy on Wednesday.
Pepper said he and Acton are candidates for change.
“B“Many of us are outsiders to politics in different ways,” Pepper said. “The status quo in Ohio isn’t serving a lot of people. … I think most people want to see something different.”
Housing affordability was a common topic discussed by most of the six panelists at the roundtable.
“Affordable housing is a huge barrier to the people we work with,” said Matt Heaggans, owner of Preston’s: A Burger Joint in Columbus. “Every day we see the impact it has on people and the way it takes people off track.”
Derrick Smith, a Columbus real estate broker who works for Keller Williams, explained that about one in three people he works with has an older family member who helps them buy a home.
“For first-time buyers, we really need help,” he said.
Acton experienced homelessness as a child growing up in the Youngstown area.
“I can say that housing will be a big problem for me,” she said.
Acton said that as she travels around the state, she hears about the rising cost of living, something she has experienced herself.
“I live near here and our electric bill went up $150 this summer,” she said. “… Rent is high, everything is high. All our health care costs are going up now.”
Harvest Pizzeria owner Chris Crader shared his concerns about rising commodity prices.
“You can only raise prices until the price of pizza is unaffordable,” he said.
In response, Acton and Pepper took turns blaming gerrymandering.
“What happens when you find yourself in a very difficult situation?” – Acton asked. “Corruption is rampant and that is absolutely what this election will be about.”
If a state is failing in multiple areas, something is wrong, Pepper said.
“What’s happening is bad that we have the House of Representatives and the power is being manipulated by the federal authorities,” he said.
Ohioans are ready for change, Acton said.
“One of the reasons I’m running for governor is because I can’t look the other way anymore,” she said. “People are fighting. The state is regressing in every way.”
This is a moment of crisis for so many communities, Pepper said.
“The issues we’ve just heard about, the broader economic issues, young people leaving, the direct costs, the challenges that everyone faces,” he said. “In terms of stepping in, I think it’s time for us and many others to get involved and try to change the troubling direction of the country, but especially this state.”
Follow a Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry in Bluesky.
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