Amy Acton and Sherrod Brown Win in Historic Ohio Election

Former state health director Amy Acton won the Ohio governor’s race on Tuesday, becoming the first woman elected to that office. The Associated Press called the result shortly before 11 p.m., ending a tight contest with tech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton is also the first governor-elect in more than a century who had never held elected public office before taking the job.

In the U.S. Senate race, political veteran Sherrod Brown defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Brown returns to the chamber two years after losing re-election. The race marked the most expensive in Ohio history, with total ad spending topping half a billion dollars. It was also one of the most costly Senate races in the country this cycle.

Acton addressed supporters at the Ohio Democratic Party’s election night event at a hotel in Columbus. She told the crowd that Ohio had chosen unity and decency, adding that the healing begins today. She pledged to be a governor for all Ohioans and to work with anyone and everyone to improve life in the state. She described herself as a relentless warrior for Ohio.

Acton was appointed health director by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019. Her campaign locked in a costly battle with Ramaswamy, which is estimated to have cost more than $100 million when outside groups and political action committees are included. Republicans criticized Acton for her actions during the pandemic, though DeWine said those were his decisions. They also suggested she had addiction problems, a claim she denied.

Acton’s campaign accused Ramaswamy of being out of touch, noting he made millions by pushing an Alzheimer’s drug that failed clinical trials. Ramaswamy called that allegation slanderous. A defining moment in the campaign came in late October when Ramaswamy ran ads featuring Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur. Arthur lost custody of Acton and her brother in 1978 and moved out of Ohio with her husband, who had been indicted for raping Acton when she was 12. Acton said she had been through tough times but that it made her stronger.

Ramaswamy conceded at the Ohio Republican Party’s election night event at a Columbus hotel. He told the crowd the race had been bitter in both directions but wished Acton well. He said the party is rooting for the success of the state and that everyone in the room should root for the success of her administration.

Brown told his supporters that they sent an undeniable message that Ohio is not for sale. He said he wants to make changes in the Senate, starting with rules on how senators invest their money. He stated that one of the first things he will do is ban Congress from trading stocks. Brown campaigned on lowering gas prices by ending the war in Iran. He also said he wants to end tariffs and address other affordability issues. He noted that he does not work for utility companies, data centers, or Wall Street.

Husted lamented the loss at the Republican watch party headquarters. He said he has been in many competitions in his life, and most of them turn out well, but sometimes they do not. He wished Brown well, saying candidates should win with humility and gratitude and lose with grace and dignity.