Amy Acton
Amy Acton is an American physician and researcher who rose to national prominence as Ohio's public health director during the initial, uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her science-driven leadership during a global crisis earned her both widespread praise and intense scrutiny, shaping the conversation around public health policy. Now, she's taking her commitment to service into a new arena, seeking to become Ohio's next governor. Acton's challenging early life experiences instilled in her a deep resilience and commitment to community service. She became a trusted, yet often controversial, public figure by guiding Ohio's early, decisive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her unique blend of medical expertise and grassroots organizing now forms the foundation for her gubernatorial campaign in Ohio.
AI Summary
Amy Acton is an American physician and researcher who rose to national prominence as Ohio's public health director during the initial, uncertain months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her science-driven leadership during a global crisis earned her both widespread praise and intense scrutiny, shaping the conversation around public health policy. Now, she's taking her commitment to service into a new arena, seeking to become Ohio's next governor.
- Acton's challenging early life experiences instilled in her a deep resilience and commitment to community service.
- She became a trusted, yet often controversial, public figure by guiding Ohio's early, decisive response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Her unique blend of medical expertise and grassroots organizing now forms the foundation for her gubernatorial campaign in Ohio.
A Challenging Start in Ohio
Amy Acton, born Amy Leigh Stearns, entered the world in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1966. Her early years were marked by significant hardship after her parents' divorce, including periods of neglect, abuse, and even homelessness.
By the seventh grade, Acton found much-needed stability when she moved in with her father. This newfound security allowed her to thrive academically, eventually leading her to join the National Honor Society at Liberty High School.
A Dedication to Education and Medicine
Her determination continued through higher education, as she worked her way through Youngstown State University to earn her bachelor's degree. She then pursued her passion for healing, receiving her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1990.
Acton further honed her expertise, completing residencies in both pediatrics and preventive medicine. She also earned a master's in public health from Ohio State University, complementing her clinical training with a broader understanding of population health. Additional training took her to the esteemed Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Early Career and Community Roots
Before her pivotal role in state government, Acton contributed to public health through academia, teaching as an associate professor of practice at Ohio State University. She also served as a grants manager at the Columbus Foundation and directed Project LOVE—an initiative focused on early childhood vaccinations.
Her first foray into political organization came through volunteering for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. She channeled this energy locally, creating a vibrant email group called 'Bexley, Yes We Can!' to publicize campaign events within her hometown.
Leading Ohio's Public Health Response
In February 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine selected Dr. Acton as his final cabinet pick for the director of the Ohio Department of Health. After a meticulous search for the right leader in a crisis, Acton became the first woman to hold this crucial post, signifying a fresh approach to public health in the state.
Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
As 2020 unfolded, Acton found herself at the forefront of a global crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her guidance, Ohio became one of the first states to implement decisive measures, including closing schools and limiting large gatherings, aiming to slow the virus's spread.
In a remarkable and widely reported early estimate, Acton suggested Ohio's initial five confirmed cases likely represented as many as 100,000 actual infections. This bold prediction underscored the gravity of the situation and immediately made national news, preparing Ohioans for the challenges ahead.
Her direct and empathetic communication style resonated deeply with many. 'This will be the thing this generation remembers,' she stated, acknowledging the profound impact of the pandemic. Legislators and media alike lauded her as 'the real MVP' and 'Ohio's trusted face' during these unprecedented times.
Acton also played a controversial role in postponing the 2020 Ohio Democratic presidential primary, initially slated for March 17th. After a judge ruled against Governor DeWine's cancellation, Acton used her authority as health director to close polling places, citing a public health emergency. The election was eventually moved to an all-mail format.
Her no-nonsense, science-backed approach earned her comparisons to Dr. Anthony Fauci, then the nation's leading infectious disease expert. CNN affectionately dubbed her 'the Buckeye state's version of the straight-talking Dr. Anthony Fauci,' solidifying her image as a beacon of scientific reason.
Facing Opposition and Protests
Despite widespread support, Acton's stringent health orders met with significant resistance from some quarters. In May 2020, a group of gyms sued the Ohio Department of Health over restrictions, leading to a preliminary injunction that briefly complicated enforcement before Acton issued an order allowing gyms to reopen with safety protocols.
As public frustration mounted, protesters began demonstrating not only at press conferences but also outside Acton's personal home in Columbus. The escalating tension necessitated the assignment of a security detail to protect her, highlighting the intense pressure she faced.
State House Republicans also attempted to curb her authority, advancing a proposal that would have limited health department orders to 14 days without legislative approval. However, the Ohio Senate unanimously voted against this measure in May 2020, preserving the director's power in a crisis.
Resignation and a Profile in Courage
On June 11, 2020, Acton resigned from her position, stating that proposed bills by Republican legislators would have violated her Hippocratic Oath. She clarified that her decision was not swayed by protests but driven by a commitment to ethical medical practice, though she remained as a chief health advisor for a short period.
Post-Pandemic Impact and Future Aspirations
Following her impactful tenure, Acton received significant recognition, including a prestigious Profile in Courage Award from Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg. The New York Times lauded her as 'The Leader We Wish We All Had,' acknowledging her exemplary service during an unprecedented time.
After leaving state government, Acton returned to the Columbus Foundation. She briefly considered a run for the U.S. Senate in 2022 but ultimately decided against it, thanking Ohioans for their outpouring of support during her deliberation.
In 2022, Acton took on the role of president and CEO of RAPID 5, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to parks and green spaces in Franklin County. She left this position in May 2023, signaling a shift in her focus once again.
A Bid for Governor
Her interest in higher office resurfaced in the summer of 2024 at the Democratic National Convention. On January 7, 2025, Amy Acton officially announced her candidacy for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election, filing paperwork as a Democrat.
Acton positioned herself as 'a doctor, not a politician,' emphasizing her motivation to help Ohioans rather than pursue a traditional political career. This message resonated, helping her raise over $5.3 million for her campaign by the end of 2025.
In January 2026, she selected former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper as her lieutenant governor running mate. Her campaign platform heavily addresses the affordability of everyday life, particularly focusing on healthcare costs.
Acton has highlighted the rising cost of healthcare as a critical issue 'putting people over the edge.' She advocates for solutions like Medicaid expansion and tax credits for caregivers, stressing the need for federal-state cooperation to tackle this challenge.
Personal Life
In 2010, Amy Acton married Eric Acton, a middle-school teacher and track coach. They reside in Bexley, Ohio, and together share a blended family of six children.
Prior to her current marriage, Acton was married to Douglas Beech, with whom she had three children. They divorced in 2008.
Awards and Honors
2015: Excellence in Teaching Award, The Ohio State University College of Public Health 2021: Profile in Courage Award, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum 2022: Ohio Honoree, USA TODAY's Women of the Year
Article
Amy Acton
Amy Leigh Acton (née Stearns; born February 16, 1966 in Youngstown, Ohio) is an American physician and researcher who is currently running for governor of Ohio. Acton previously served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health from 2019 to 2020. She led Ohio's COVID-19 pandemic response and accompanied Governor DeWine during his daily afternoon press conferences throughout the spring of 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic response, Amy Acton supported temporarily closing bars and restaurants, limiting large gatherings, and closing K-12 schools statewide to combat COVID-19. Prior to and immediately after serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health, she worked at the Columbus Foundation. She left her position at the foundation upon announcing her candidacy for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.
Early life and education
Amy Acton
Amy Acton grew up in the north side of Youngstown, Ohio. Following her parents' divorce, Acton described experiencing neglect, abuse, and periods of homelessness. By 7th grade, she moved in with her father, found more stability, and at Liberty High School, she joined the National Honor Society.
She earned her bachelor's degree at Youngstown State University after paying her way through college and received her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 1990. She completed residencies in pediatrics and preventive medicine, earned a master's in public health from Ohio State University, and trained at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Career
Early career
Acton taught at Ohio State University as an associate professor of practice in the area of public health. She worked at the Columbus Foundation as a grants manager, and was director of Project LOVE (Love Our kids, Vaccinate Early).
Acton was introduced to political organization when she volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. She created a local email group for her hometown of Bexley, Ohio called "Bexley, Yes We Can!" and publicized campaign events using Facebook.
Director of the Ohio Department of Health
In February 2019, Ohio governor Mike DeWine made her his final cabinet pick as director of the Department of Health. The search process was lengthy, as DeWine had been determined to have the right person in charge in a crisis. Acton was the first woman in the post. The two previous incumbents were a lawyer and a marketing director; DeWine mentioned wanting to "rethink how we approach this department".
Acton in 2019
In 2020, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Acton advised Governor Mike DeWine, who became the first U.S. governor to close schools and limit gatherings to no more than 100 people. Acton soon after estimated that Ohio's then 5 confirmed cases likely translated to 100,000 actual cases, making national news. In mid-March, she predicted cases could peak in late April to mid-May.
On March 12, Acton said of the pandemic, "This will be the thing this generation remembers." Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes called her "the real MVP of Ohio's coronavirus response." The Dayton Daily News called her "Ohio's trusted face during the pandemic."
Acton was an advocate of postponing the 2020 Ohio Democratic presidential primary, which was slated for March 17, 2020. The day before the scheduled election, Governor DeWine declared it canceled, only for a judge to rule that he did not have the authority to do so. Acton then ordered polling places closed due to a public health emergency. It was later determined that the election would be conducted entirely by mail-in absentee ballot for those who had not participated in early voting. In April 2020, CNN called her "the Buckeye state's version of the straight-talking Dr. Anthony Fauci".
Sign in support of Acton during pandemic
On April 1, Governor DeWine was reported as "quick to defer to Dr. Acton for specific questions on the virus and its spread" during daily news briefings, "reminding Ohioans that the state's decisions are driven by science."
In May 2020, a group of 35 gyms sued the Ohio Department of Health, Acton, and the Lake County General Health District over coronavirus-related health restrictions, and Lake County Court of Common Pleas Judge Eugene Lucci issued a preliminary injunction blocking the state from "imposing or enforcing penalties solely for non-compliance with the director's order" against gyms and fitness centers, "so long as they operate in compliance with all applicable safety regulations." The state appealed the decision, but Acton had signed an order permitting gyms to reopen in the interim, and a court of appeals later dismissed the case as moot. The gym reopening was part of an effort announced by Governor DeWine's administration on May 14, 2020, to reopen various economic venues with the implementation of safety protocols, including physical distancing, whenever possible, and use of face masks. At the time of the gym reopening, it was known but many would not accept that people with COVID-19 are contagious even before they develop symptoms.
Beginning in May 2020, protesters began showing up at Acton's home in Columbus and at press conferences. Acton was assigned a security detail.
On May 20, 2020, the Ohio Senate unanimously voted against a proposal advanced by state House Republicans (and approved by the House on a nearly party-line vote) that would have limited the power of DeWine and Acton by restricting Ohio Department of Health orders to 14 days and requiring any extensions to be approved by a state joint legislative committee.
Resignation from the Ohio Department of Health
After Republican state legislators and then-Speaker of the House Larry Householder introduced bills that she believed would violate her Hippocratic Oath, she resigned from her position on June 11, 2020, and became a chief health advisor for DeWine's administration. Acton has stated that her resignation had nothing to do with protestors or the controversy surrounding her and Governor DeWine's stay-at-home orders. She was succeeded by Lance Himes as interim director. In early August 2020 she announced she had left her position as advisor to the administration.
Later career and gubernatorial campaign
Due to her work during her time as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health, she received a Profile in Courage Award from Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg. The New York Times called her "The Leader We Wish We All Had".
After her resignation, she resumed working for the Columbus Foundation. On February 4, 2021, Acton stepped down from her position in the Columbus Foundation as she considered a run for the Senate in 2022 to succeed Rob Portman. However, Acton chose not to run in April 2021 while thanking Ohioans for an "outpouring of support".
In 2022, Acton was named as president and chief executive officer of RAPID 5, a nonprofit organization that is attempting to improve access to parks in Franklin County, part of the greater Columbus area. She left this position in May 2023.
In the summer of 2024, Acton attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where she first expressed interest in running for Ohio Governor. On January 7, 2025, she announced her candidacy for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial election, filing paperwork earlier the same day. She is running as a Democrat. In 2025, Acton gave a speech where she stated that she was "a doctor, not a politician" and that she was running solely to help people in Ohio. By the end of 2025, Amy Acton had raised over 5.3 million dollars for her gubernatorial campaign. It was reported that she also raised around three million dollars in cash. Acton's fundraiser efforts kept increasing in the second half of the year. In January 2026, Acton picked David Pepper to be lieutenant governor in the Ohio governor's election. In February of 2026, Acton addressed the affordability of everyday life, specifically in healthcare. Acton also said that it is "the rising cost of health care that is really putting people over the edge," citing a reported 20% decline in Marketplace enrollment in Ohio. She suggested tools such as Medicaid and tax credits for caregivers, but also emphasized the need for cooperation with the federal government to solve the issue.
Awards and honors
Amy Acton
• 2015: Excellence in Teaching Award, The Ohio State University College of Public Health • 2021: Profile in Courage Award, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum • 2022: Ohio Honoree, USA TODAY's Women of the Year
Personal life
Amy Acton
In 2010, Acton married Eric Acton, a middle-school teacher and track coach. The couple live in Bexley and have six children between them. She is Jewish.
She was previously married to Douglas Beech, with whom she had three children. They divorced in 2008.