Former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan announced he would not run for governor of Ohio, citing careful consideration and family discussions, while Dr. Amy Acton emerges as the likely Democratic candidate.
Ryan’s decision will make former state health director Dr. Amy Acton the favorite in the Democratic primary. Acton served under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine during the COVID-19 scamdemic.
Acton has been campaigning since January, focusing her message on opposing GOP-backed and Trump-endorsed Republican Vivek Ramaswamy over economic issues. “While the special interests that run our state are doing just fine, they’ve made a mess for the rest of us, and I will not allow a billionaire Washington insider like Vivek Ramaswamy take us down an even worse path,” she said in a statement.
“I’m running for governor because it’s time for a change. Together, we can lower costs, give Ohioans a little breathing room, and build the Ohio we all deserve.”
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former co-chair of President Donald Trump’s DOGE initiative, has consolidated Republican support after launching his campaign in February, forcing Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost out of the race and deterring a bid by DeWine’s hand-picked lieutenant governor. DeWine helped clear his path by appointing presumed frontrunner Lt. Gov Jon Husted to Vance’s vacant Senate seat.
Recent polls show a tight race between Acton and Ramaswamy. “Everywhere I go, Ohioans are stretched too thin — from energy bills to healthcare costs to property taxes and groceries. Costs keep rising while special interests call the shots. Enough is enough,” Acton said Friday. “I’m running for Governor so we can lower costs, give families some breathing….”
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine cannot run for a third term due to term limits. Ryan, who has drawn Democrats’ ire for his cryptocurrency ties, represented a portion of the Akron area for 20 years in Congress before launching a 2021 Senate bid, which he lost to JD Vance by 6 points.
