I’ve learned so much this campaign season about Ohio's Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Amy Acton is an alcoholic, a drug abuser, a reprobate. She’s a coward. As a physician and former director of health in our great state, she was callous, unconcerned with the suffering of loved ones and those dying of COVID-19.
The bottom line: Amy Acton is a sniveling woman who doesn’t belong in the same room with true leaders, especially fabulously wealthy men.
I’m sure I’ll see more damaging accusations before Election Day. I fully expect to learn that Acton is the antichrist, Satan incarnate, and that all Democrats are her evil minions, which makes David Pepper, the candidate for lieutenant governor, Lord Voldemort.
is nasty. Amy Acton’s refusal to debate still very wrong | Our view
I can’t see such relentless, over-the-top attacks on Acton and her long history of public service and not think, "Really?" So much vitriol, so much energy and money spent denigrating and slandering Acton. What is the reason?
I think that moneyed Republicans are scared to death that Ohio has a chance to elect a woman of integrity, intelligence, compassion and courage for governor.
Yes, courage.
COVID put Acton's leadership to the test
Acton was not muddled, cautious, and cowardly as Ohio's director of health. She was responsible and decisive. She closely monitored COVID-19 and took the necessary steps to limit its spread.
Early in the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio led every state in combating the deadly disease. Yes, we locked down schools and businesses. Yes, we socially distanced and washed our hands regularly. Yes, we avoided large gatherings. Acton’s advice to Gov. Mike DeWine had one objective: save lives. Thousands of Ohioans are alive today because of Acton’s knowledge and unflinching courage.
She did not turn a blind eye or claim that the virus would disappear like magic. She did not suggest fake remedies. She faced facts. Even so, every one of us knew people who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Acton should debate Ramaswamy
Amy Acton has declined to debate her opponent. I wish she would. Her strong character and sound humanitarian policies about health, education, taxation and business would be clear and appealing to voters. When I took note of her campaign in the spring of 2025, I’d hoped there would be a debate down the road with the Republican nominee. After the steady stream of vile misinformation about her, however, I understand why Acton is cautious about giving her opponent a free platform to repeat those lies and invent new ones.
Make no mistake, Vivek Ramaswamy would be a formidable debater. He’s handsome, and we know how much good looks mean in a televised debate (think of John F. Kennedy in 1960 debating Richard Nixon). Ramaswamy is articulate and smart. He is, after all, an Ivy Leaguer with degrees from Harvard and Yale.
To get a higher education, Acton stuck with Ohio, earning degrees from Youngstown State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University and the Ohio State University. She holds the educational values of the Buckeye State.
This gubernatorial election cycle has been bitter. Estimates are that the Acton-Pepper campaign is being outspent 4-to-1. Their campaign has also been outlied and outbullied. Believe that.
Don’t believe for an instant, though, that Amy Acton is an alcoholic, a drug abuser, cowardly and callous, out of touch with the needs and struggles of Ohioans. Don’t believe for an instant that Amy Acton is unworthy of your vote.
In politics, we rarely get to elect someone who embodies the qualities we admire in the best of us: integrity, intelligence, generosity, compassion, and courage. We have that opportunity in this election.
The clear choice for Ohio governor is Amy Acton.
Tom Romano lives in Oxford, Ohio.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Don't believe everything you're hearing about Amy Acton | Opinion
