CLEVELAND, Ohio - Dr. Amy Acton, who comforted Ohioans through the early days of the COVID pandemic, is running for governor as a Democrat. We’re talking about the 2026 race on Today in Ohio. Listen online here.

Former Ohio health director Amy Acton is running for governor in 2026. Acton is a physician and public health expert who became a household name among Ohioans as she stood alongside Republican Gov.

Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, who gained notoriety during the COVID pandemic, is running for governor in 2026.

Acton, who has been hinting at such a run since last summer, is the first Ohio Democrat to launch a 2026 gubernatorial campaign.

Former Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton announced on Tuesday that she is running for Ohio governor in 2026. “Today, I filed papers to run for Governor because I refuse to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while self-serving politicians and special interests take our state in the wrong direction,

Former Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton from the Columbus suburb of Bexley announced on Jan. 7 that she is running for Ohio governor in 2026.

Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton has entered the 2026 Ohio governor's race. Acton, a Democrat, is mostly known for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic when she gave daily coronavirus briefings alongside Governor Mike DeWine.

She was arguably the best-known non-elected official in Ohio when the pandemic took over our lives. Now, Dr. Amy Acton is looking to use that name recognition to mount her first run for office.

Dr. Amy Acton, a familiar face to many during the COVID-19 pandemic, has filed paperwork to run for governor of Ohio as a Democrat in 2026, The Associated Press reports. She is the first Democrat to launch such a campaign.

Amy Acton, the first woman to serve as director of the Ohio Department of Health who led the state’s pandemic efforts in 2020, will run for the highest executive office.