Dr. Amy Acton (left), the 2026 Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, and Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (right), who was officially endorsed as governor by the Ohio Republican Party. (Photos/graphics: WEWS.)
Ohio’s list of candidates for governor is shrinking as Democrat Dr. Amy Acton prepares to challenge Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, possibly avoiding a costly primary.
“Together we will build the Ohio we all want to live in,” Acton said in an interview Friday.
Former Congressman Tim Ryan announced this morning that he will not run for governor. This means that Acton will remain the Democratic favorite.
But for Acton, Friday was just another day on the campaign trail.
We asked Acton if Ryan’s announcement came as a surprise.
“People like to create stories and drama, but I can say that my focus was on the work we do in the field every day,” Acton said.
He is also focusing on the fight against Ramaswamy.
GOP leader Tony Schroeder said he was never worried about Ramaswamy’s chances, but the party would be more prepared to face Ryan.
“Our great vice president, then-Senator J.D. Vance, gave us a pretty good lesson on how to beat Tim Ryan, and the playbook was already there,” Schroeder said. “I think the playbook would be a little different this time.”
Each candidate focuses on affordability, but Acton hopes to influence voters by supporting public education and health care.
Ramaswamy hopes to gain the support of Ryan’s ex and succeeds in doing so.
“While Democrats have spent months struggling to secure a shrinking base, Vivek has spoken to voters of all political persuasions to build an unprecedented coalition of support that includes conservative leaders and farmers, truckers and labor unions — and we are just getting started,” Ramaswamy spokeswoman Connie Luck said after Ryan’s announcement.
“When you get union support as a conservative Republican, you reach a different kind of coalition, and I think that’s what we’re looking for in 2026.” Schroeder said.
Both Ramaswamy and Acton are also trying to campaign to unify the state, with Acton reminding the public that she has worked closely with Gov. Mike DeWine.
The governor, unlike most House and Congressional leaders, did not endorse any candidate.
He previously told us he would support the Republican Party. A few weeks ago, he told us he would support Ramaswamy “soon.”
On Friday, we asked him why he had not endorsed Ramaswamy yet.
“It will be soon,” he replied.
I pressed “when,” but the governor smirked.
Acton and Ramaswamy raised record amounts of money – money that Acton will save for the general election – instead of the controversial primary.
We asked Acton if she thinks the Democratic Party can now fully come together to support her.
“Well, I think I see the people of Ohio coming together, coming together to create a state that we all want to live in and that we all deserve,” Acton said.
She said she has begun recruiting for her lieutenant governor, which both she and Ramaswamy are expected to announce in the coming weeks.
Other candidates who have declared interest in running for governor include Republican Philip Funderburg, Democrat Jacob Chiara and Independent Tim Grady.
Heather Hill previously announced she would run as a Republican, but later stated she would run as either a Libertarian, an independent or a member of Elon Musk’s American Party – a party that is not yet recognized in Ohio.
Together, this group reported having approximately $1,500 in cash on hand.
In contrast, Ramaswamy reported raising $9.7 million and Acton raised about $1.4 million.
To be on the first ballot, the governor and the candidate for lieutenant governor must jointly collect signatures on a petition.
The party’s candidates have until February 4 to submit their candidacies.
For major parties, teams must collect at least 1,000 valid signatures, and for smaller parties, 500.
Independents must collect 5,000 signatures by May 4.
Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau X AND Facebook.
This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and are published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication on other news outlets because it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
