By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
Democratic candidate Amy Acton has defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio’s gubernatorial election, becoming the first woman elected governor in the state’s history.
The Associated Press projected Acton as the winner late Tuesday, November 3, following the 2026 US midterm elections. Her victory also ends 16 years of Republican control of the governor’s office and marks the first time since 2006 that Ohio has elected a Democratic governor.
Acton, 60, is a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health. She became widely recognised during the COVID-19 pandemic after working alongside outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine to coordinate Ohio’s early public health response.
During the campaign, she focused on the rising cost of living, healthcare access and public education, drawing on her personal experiences growing up in Youngstown, Ohio.
Her Republican opponent, Ramaswamy, is a biotechnology entrepreneur and former presidential candidate who received the endorsement of US President Donald Trump. Despite Trump’s support and substantial campaign spending, Ramaswamy was unable to secure the governorship.
The contest attracted national attention in its final weeks following a controversial campaign advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother. The advertisement drew criticism from political figures across party lines, including DeWine, although Trump defended it.
Acton’s victory is particularly significant because Ohio has increasingly favoured Republican candidates in recent presidential elections. Trump carried the state in 2024, making the Democratic victory in the gubernatorial contest a closely watched development.
The election was part of a wider midterm contest that determined control of Congress and several state governments. TheDailyNewsHub previously reported that nearly 48 million Americans voted early ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, setting a record for early participation in a midterm election.
Acton will succeed DeWine, who is prevented by term limits from seeking another term. She is expected to assume office in January 2027.
Her election represents a historic milestone for women in Ohio politics and a significant change in the state’s gubernatorial leadership.