Medical association snubs Amy Acton, endorses Vivek Ramaswamy for governor

Just one doctor is running for governor in Ohio, but the state’s medical association says voters should not cast their ballots for her, saying her opponent would make a better governor.

The Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee has endorsed Republican Vivek Ramaswamy for governor. The group cited the entrepreneur’s commitment to “improving health outcomes” across the Buckeye State.

In handing down its endorsement, the group snubbed Dr. Amy Acton, a pediatrician often described as a “public health leader,” but who abandoned her post as director of the Ohio Department of Health amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a release, OSMAPAC said it “supports candidates for state office who demonstrate a commitment to improving healthcare and addressing the issues that impact Ohio physicians and their patients.”

“Vivek Ramaswamy has a clear vision to improve healthcare across our state, and it’s clear that he understands the challenges physicians face including preserving physician-led healthcare, strengthening the physician pipeline and removing administrative barriers to practicing medicine,” OSMAPAC Chair Dr. Anne Taylor said in a statement. “OSMAPAC’s endorsement decision reflects our confidence that Vivek will work with Ohio’s doctors to improve health outcomes and ensure patients have access to high-quality care.”

Proud to receive the endorsement of the Ohio State Medical Association, representing doctors across the state. Their process was rigorous, and it speaks volumes in this race – for obvious reasons. https://t.co/twz601XZ5E

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 14, 2026

For her part, Acton’s campaign hasn’t responded to questions from Ohio.News about her efforts during the pandemic, declining to say whether she would have done anything differently. She has also refused to debate Ramaswamy; a debate could allow her to further explain or defend her actions.

The state’s approach to COVID and Acton’s role in particular drew harsh criticism from Ohioans at the time, who mounted protests. State lawmakers responded by limiting the power of the state health department director, passing Senate Bill 22, which removed the health director’s “ultimate” authority, limited the duration of health orders, and gave the legislature the power to rescind them.

“I’m incredibly honored to have the support of the OSMAPAC, which speaks volumes in this particular race,” Ramaswamy said in a statement.

“My wife is a surgeon, and I understand all that goes into caring for patients,” Ramaswamy added. “Ohio’s doctors need a governor who listens to them, gets unnecessary bureaucracy out of their way, and gives them the tools they need to provide exceptional care to patients across our state. That’s exactly what I’ll do starting in January.”

The race looks close. A Bowling Green State University poll released this week shows Acton with a slight advantage but within the margin of error.