Amy Acton | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Acton in 2026 | |
| Director of theOhio Department of Health | |
| In office February 26, 2019 – June 11, 2020 | |
| Governor | Mike DeWine |
| Preceded by | Lance Himes |
| Succeeded by | Lance Himes (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Amy Leigh Stearns (1966-02-16)February 16, 1966 (age 59) Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Youngstown State University (BS) Northeast Ohio Medical University (MD) Ohio State University (MPH) |
| Website | Campaign Website |
Amy Acton (néeStearns; born February 16, 1966)[1] is an American physician and researcher who is currently running forgovernor of Ohio. Acton previously served as the director of theOhio Department of Health from 2019 to 2020. She ledOhio's COVID-19 pandemic response and accompaniedGovernor DeWine during his daily afternoon press conferences throughout the spring of 2020. Prior to and immediately after serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health, she worked at theColumbus Foundation. She left her position at the foundation upon announcing her candidacy for the2026 Ohio gubernatorial election.
Amy Acton grew up in the north side ofYoungstown, Ohio.[2][3] Following her parents' divorce, Acton described experiencing neglect, abuse, and periods of homelessness.[4] By 7th grade, she moved in with her father, found more stability, and atLiberty High School, she joined theNational Honor Society.
She earned her bachelor's degree atYoungstown State University after paying her way through college[5] and received her medical degree fromNortheast Ohio Medical University in 1990.[6] She completed residencies in pediatrics and preventive medicine,[7] earned a master's in public health fromOhio State University,[2] and trained atAlbert Einstein College of Medicine[6] andNationwide Children's Hospital.[2]
Acton taught atOhio State University as an associateprofessor of practice in the area of public health.[2][8] She worked at theColumbus Foundation as a grants manager,[9] and was director of Project LOVE (Love Our kids, Vaccinate Early).[7]
Acton was introduced to political organization when she volunteered forBarack Obama'spresidential campaign. She created a local email group for her hometown ofBexley, Ohio called "Bexley, Yes We Can!" and publicized campaign events using Facebook.[10]
In February 2019, Ohio governorMike DeWine made her his final cabinet pick as director of the Department of Health.[2][11] The search process was lengthy, as DeWine had been determined to have the right person in charge in a crisis.[7] Acton was the first woman in the post.[6][12][13] The two previous incumbents were a lawyer and a marketing director; DeWine mentioned wanting to "rethink how we approach this department".[14]
In 2020, prior to and during theCOVID-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.[15] In mid-March, she predicted cases could peak in late April to mid-May.[16]
On March 12, Acton said of the pandemic, "This will be the thing this generation remembers."[15][17][18]Ohio House Minority LeaderEmilia Sykes called her "the real MVP of Ohio's coronavirus response."[2] TheDayton Daily News called her "Ohio's trusted face during the pandemic."[7]
Acton was an advocate of postponing the2020 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 a public health emergency.[19] It was later determined that the election would be conducted entirely by mail-inabsentee ballot for those who had not participated inearly voting.[20] In April 2020,CNN called her "the Buckeye state's version of the straight-talking Dr.Anthony Fauci".[3]
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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."[11]
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 apreliminary 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."[21] The state appealed the decision, but Acton had signed an order permitting gyms to reopen in the interim,[22] and a court of appeals later dismissed the case as moot.[21][23] 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, includingphysical distancing, whenever possible, and use of face masks.[24] At the time of the gym reopening, it was not yet known that people with COVID-19 are contagious even before they develop symptoms.[22][25]
Beginning in May 2020, protesters began showing up at Acton's home in Columbus[26] and at press conferences. Acton was assigned a security detail.[27]
On May 20, 2020, the Ohio Senate unanimously voted against a proposal advanced by state House Republicans (and approved by the House on a nearlyparty-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.[28]
After Republican state legislators in Ohio introduced bills intended to limit her emergency powers, she became worried about being asked to sign a health order that would violate herHippocratic Oath.[29] For that reason, on June 11, 2020, she resigned from her position and became a chief health advisor for DeWine's administration.[21][30] 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.[30] In early August 2020 she announced she had left her position as advisor to the administration.[31]
Due to her work during her time as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health, she received aProfile in Courage Award from Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg.The New York Times called her "The Leader We Wish We All Had".[32]
After her resignation, she resumed working for the Columbus Foundation.[29][33] On February 4, 2021, Acton stepped down from her position in the Columbus Foundation as she considered arun for the Senate in 2022 to succeedRob Portman.[34] However, Acton chose not to run in April 2021 while thanking Ohioans for an "outpouring of support".[35]
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 inFranklin County, part of the greater Columbus area.[36] She left this position in May 2023.[37]
In the summer of 2024, Acton attended theDemocratic National Convention in Chicago, where she first expressed interest in running for Ohio Governor.[38] On January 7, 2025, she announced her candidacy for the2026 Ohio gubernatorial election, filing paperwork earlier the same day.[38][39] She is running as a Democrat.[39] 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.[40] In January 2026, Acton picked David Pepper to be lieutenant governor in the Ohio governor's election.[41] 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.[42] 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 asMedicaid and tax credits for caregivers, but also emphasized the need for cooperation with the federal government to solve the issue.[43]
In 2010, Acton married Eric Acton, a middle-school teacher and track coach.[4][9][6] The couple live inBexley and have six children between them.[2][9] She is Jewish.[47]
She was previously married to Douglas Beech, with whom she had three children.[10] They divorced in 2008.[48]
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