Acton, who has been hinting at such a run since last summer, is the first Ohio Democrat to launch a 2026 gubernatorial campaign.

Dr. Amy Acton, a familiar face to many during the COVID-19 pandemic, has filed paperwork to run for governor of Ohio as a Democrat in 2026, The Associated Press reports. She is the first Democrat to launch such a campaign.

Former Ohio health director Amy Acton is running for governor in 2026 COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton, who became a household name in the state in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,

Former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, who gained notoriety during the COVID pandemic, is running for governor in 2026.

Former Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton announced on Tuesday that she is running for Ohio governor in 2026. “Today, I filed papers to run for Governor because I refuse to look away from Ohioans who are struggling while self-serving politicians and special interests take our state in the wrong direction,

Amy Acton, the former state health director who led Ohio's initial COVID-19 response, has announced a campaign for governor, per AP and other reports. Why it matters: The Democrat hopes to leverage her pandemic popularity and name recognition to flip the governor's seat in 2026 after four terms of Republican control.

I’m a doctor, not a politician,” she said in a statement announcing her candidacy. “I solve problems by bringing people together regardless of party to find solutions.”