Amy Acton

Acton taught at Ohio State University as an associate professor of practice in public health and worked as a grants manager at the Columbus Foundation. She also directed Project LOVE (Love Our kids, Vaccinate Early). Her introduction to political organizing came through volunteering for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, where she created a local email group for her hometown of Bexley called "Bexley, Yes We Can!" and publicized events on Facebook.

In February 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine named Acton as the director of the Ohio Department of Health, making her the first woman in the post. She quickly became the face of Ohio's COVID-19 response, advising DeWine as he became the first U.S. governor to close schools and limit gatherings. Acton estimated that Ohio's then 5 confirmed cases likely translated to 100,000 actual cases, a statement that made national news. She was praised as "the real MVP of Ohio's coronavirus response" and "Ohio's trusted face during the pandemic." CNN described her as "the Buckeye state's version of the straight-talking Dr. Anthony Fauci." Her leadership extended to advocating for postponing the 2020 primary, which was eventually conducted by mail.

However, her public health orders drew backlash, including a lawsuit from gyms and protests outside her home. In May 2020, a court blocked enforcement of certain restrictions against gyms, though the case was later dismissed as moot. Protesters began showing up at her home, and she was assigned a security detail. In June 2020, Acton resigned, stating she was concerned about being asked to sign a health order that would violate her Hippocratic Oath. She then served briefly as a chief health advisor to DeWine's administration but left that role in August 2020.

Acton returned to the Columbus Foundation, then stepped down in February 2021 as she considered a Senate run. She chose not to run in April 2021. In 2022, she was named president and CEO of RAPID 5, a nonprofit focused on improving access to parks in Franklin County, a role she left in May 2023. She attended the Democratic National Convention in 2024 and announced her candidacy for governor of Ohio in January 2025, running as a Democrat. She says she is a doctor, not a politician, and is running to help people in Ohio.

Acton received the Profile in Courage Award in 2021, and The New York Times called her "The Leader We Wish We All Had." She also received the 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award from Ohio State University and was named a 2022 Ohio Honoree for USA TODAY's Women of the Year. She is Jewish. Acton married Eric Acton, a middle-school teacher and track coach, in 2010. They live in Bexley with six children between them. She was previously married to Douglas Beech, with whom she had three children; they divorced in 2008.