Some fear that Acton is ‘extremely dangerous’ as questions mount over resignation and emotional stability 

A letter to the editor published Oct. 6 in The Columbus Dispatch and picked up by other newspapers, including the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky, described Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton as “extremely dangerous to Ohio” for her role in the state’s COVID-19 response.

“Well, I feel Dr. Amy Acton is extremely dangerous to Ohio,” Michael Standiford of Lancaster wrote in response to an earlier letter defending Acton.

“She had an active role in shutting down Ohio during COVID-19, ruining many small mom-and-pop businesses who couldn’t pay out to follow the rules of the pandemic,” the letter writer added. “Acton convinced the governor to shut down everything. She is directly responsible for the fallout along with the federal government.”

Standiford, adding that the real threat to Ohio is Acton as governor, said that Ohio businesses and families would be “much safer without Dr Acton,” who faces Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the Nov. 3 general election.

The letter follows a Washington Examiner exposè of Acton’s conduct as health director, in which current and former state government staffers outlined a pattern of “emotionally reactionary” instability leading up to Acton’s early resignation.

One former administration staffer claimed that Acton was found “curled up” into a ball on the hallway floor before an emergency response meeting and had to be coaxed into the room.

A career civil servant said, “Every time I saw her in the halls, she was either crying, in tears, on the verge of, or looking like she had just gotten done crying.” Another account recalled her crying in a bathroom before a 2019 budget presentation and saying, “I can’t do this.”

Staffers also told the Examiner that Acton missed multiple morning strategy meetings on case numbers and hospital capacity, leading Gov. Mike DeWine to ask “Where’s Amy?” on several occasions.

Acton’s resignation appears central to concerns about her ability to handle the position she now seeks. Appointed as the director of the Ohio Department of Health in February 2019, Acton resigned in June 2020.

While resigning amid protests and legislative pushback over her emergency orders, staffers described her as an “emotionally reactive leader who struggled to handle the demands of the job, even in the time preceding the pandemic.”

According to the exposè, Acton was sensitive to criticism and resistant to opposing viewpoints. As discussions turned to easing restrictions on the state, that’s when things became heated—leading to the hallway displays and ultimately her resignation.

Amy Acton has demonstrated a pattern of erratic behavior and volatility in her relationships. The Democrats know it.

The @amyactonoh Police Report Facts:

1. Police were called to Acton's home because "step dad and mom are fighting and mom has been drinking and throwing things… pic.twitter.com/r0YjxTcCRr

— Ohio Republican Party (@ohiogop) August 13, 2026

Acton’s campaign has sought to dismiss the claims, calling them “disgusting lies and desperate mischaracterizations.” However, based on the letter writer, it’s clear the claims don’t sit well with some Ohio voters.