In Ohio Governor’s Race, Dr. Amy Acton Gains Ground Amid Economic Anxieties

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Ohio prepares for its 2026 gubernatorial election, a contest that could signal broader shifts in Midwestern politics, Dr. Amy Acton, the Democrat and former state health director, has emerged as a formidable challenger to Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican entrepreneur backed by President Trump.

Recent polling shows the race tightening, with Acton edging ahead in some surveys or trailing narrowly in others, reflecting voter unease over health care costs, manufacturing challenges and the lingering effects of federal policy decisions.

Mr. Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native and biotech billionaire who briefly ran for president in 2024, entered the race early this year with Mr. Trump’s swift endorsement. The president’s support, along with the Ohio Republican Party’s backing in May, initially positioned Mr. Ramaswamy as the clear front-runner in the GOP primary, effectively sidelining competitors like Attorney General Dave Yost.

Yet, as the campaign has unfolded, economic headwinds have complicated the narrative for Republicans in this traditionally swing state, which Mr. Trump carried comfortably in 2024.

President Trump’s approval rating in Ohio has dipped into negative territory in recent months, according to surveys from Morning Consult and other trackers. By December 2025, some polls showed disapproval edging approval by a point or more, a notable decline from earlier in the year. Voters cited rising health insurance premiums and disruptions in manufacturing support programs as key concerns.

Central to these worries is the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies at the end of 2025. Without congressional action — stalled amid partisan gridlock — millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Ohioans, face sharp premium increases in 2026. Estimates suggest average costs could more than double for many middle-income families enrolled in marketplace plans, prompting warnings from health policy experts about potential coverage losses and strain on hospitals from uncompensated care.

Dr. Acton, who gained prominence leading Ohio’s early COVID-19 response under then-Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has leaned into these issues. Campaigning across the state in her signature understated style — often in an old Jeep, as she has noted — she emphasizes her roots in Youngstown, her decades as a physician and her bipartisan collaborations. “Ohioans are working harder than ever, but there’s no breathing room left,” she has said in interviews, framing the race as one between practical problem-solving and ideological division.

Her message appears to resonate with independents and some disaffected Republicans, groups crucial in a state that has trended red but retains a pragmatic streak. Acton’s fundraising, bolstered by grassroots donations, has kept pace with Mr. Ramaswamy’s self-funded efforts, allowing her to air ads highlighting manufacturing workers and families grappling with health costs.

Mr. Ramaswamy, for his part, has campaigned on ambitious goals: eliminating the state income tax, revitalizing education through merit-based reforms and positioning Ohio as a hub for innovation in AI and aerospace. He has dismissed criticisms of his outsider status, pointing to his Ohio upbringing and business success. Supporters praise his alignment with Mr. Trump’s “America First” agenda, including tariffs aimed at bolstering domestic manufacturing.

However, federal actions have created crosscurrents. In December 2025, the Commerce Department abruptly suspended funding for Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership programs, including the respected MAGNET organization in Cleveland, citing an ongoing audit. The freeze, affecting $5.9 million in combined federal and state dollars for MAGNET alone, threatened jobs and support for thousands of small manufacturers. Lawmakers from both parties, including Ohio Republicans, urged restoration, underscoring the program’s role in workforce training and competitiveness.

Critics linked the decision to broader administrative priorities, amplifying voter frustration in industrial regions like northeast Ohio, where manufacturing remains a lifeline.

Political analysts say these developments have injected uncertainty into the race. While Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor since 2006, Acton’s cross-party appeal — forged during the pandemic when she worked closely with Mr. DeWine — and the economic pinch points could narrow the gap. “This is shaping up as a referendum on everyday struggles versus bold restructuring,” said one Columbus-based consultant unaffiliated with either campaign.

With primaries still months away and the general election in November 2026, both candidates continue barnstorming the state’s 88 counties. Dr. Acton speaks of unity and public service; Mr. Ramaswamy of excellence and opportunity. In a state known for its political bellwether status, the outcome may hinge on which vision better addresses Ohioans’ immediate anxieties.