Ohio governor race: Amy Acton faces renewed scrutiny over 2020 COVID-19 orders

Dr. Amy Acton, a Democrat running unopposed in the party primary for Ohio governor, entered the general election with hurdles. Ohio has leaned Republican for years. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy was set as the likely rival. Vivek Ramaswamy has national recognition and major personal funds. The COVID-19 record from 2020 now sits at the centre.

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Acton served as Ohio’s public health director when the virus reached the US in early 2020. The period brought deaths, fear and major disruption. Under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio used strict measures. Acton signed orders closing schools and businesses. The orders also limited sports events. One order paused voting in the 2020 primary.

COVID-19 orders return as a campaign fault line

Republicans have renewed attacks on those pandemic steps as Acton seeks the top job. At rallies, Vivek Ramaswamy has blamed Acton for what he called dangerous COVID ideology. Acton’s team rejected that argument. "Dr. Acton is proud of the work she did alongside Governor DeWine to put public health over politics, save lives and keep Ohioans safe,\" said campaign spokesperson Addie Bullock.

Acton often stood beside DeWine during daily briefings in a white medical coat. Many Ohio households watched the sessions. Acton described projections and rising hospital numbers. Acton also offered practical guidance. \"Ohio, don the mask, don your cape,\" Acton said then. The message urged residents to act like superheroes during the crisis.

COVID-19 anger shapes Republican messaging in Ohio

Across the US, pandemic stress still affects trust in health officials and state power. Vaccine debates also remain sharp. In Ohio, that tension now appears in the governor race. Ramaswamy has run ads focused on Acton’s order affecting the 2020 primary. At Republican gatherings, Acton’s name often draws boos from crowds.

At one fundraising event for Ramaswamy, another Republican linked the contest to pandemic restrictions. Zac Haines, campaigning for the state Senate, invoked Anthony Fauci. \"Are we choosing freedom or are we choosing Fauci?\" Haines asked the audience. \"Are we choosing liberty or are we choosing lockdowns?\" The remarks drew a strong reaction at the event.

COVID-19 legacy divides voters at Democratic events

Among Democrats, Acton still carried a strong following from 2020. Supporters once formed a Dr. Amy Acton Fan Club. The group used yard signs and even a bobblehead. There was also talk of a state holiday. On the trail, Acton spoke carefully about that period. Sometimes Acton avoided saying COVID-19 or coronavirus.

At a March event in southwest Ohio, Acton spoke of that service in broad terms. \"I had the honor and the privilege, the privilege, of serving in a very tough moment,\" Acton said. \"Im proud of Ohioans, because together we flattened that curve, we saved a lot of lives.\" CDC data showed Ohio ranked 22nd per capita for deaths in year one.

COVID-19 criticism meets DeWine’s defence of his decisions

Acton left the role halfway through 2020 and rarely revisits later backlash. That period included protests over closures and mandates. Republicans also moved to limit the governor’s authority. Demonstrators, some armed, gathered outside Acton’s house. DeWine, though backing Ramaswamy, criticised an ad over the primary delay. \"I told her to issue the health order,\" DeWine said.

Ramaswamy also faced questions about his own pandemic links. Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences in 2014 and led it as CEO. Ramaswamy wrote that he advised Ohio’s lieutenant governor during 2020. That official, Republican Jon Husted, later became a US senator. Husted appeared often with DeWine and Acton in daily briefings.

COVID-19 business ties and shifting political distance

A Roivant unit, Genevant Sciences, was tied to vaccine technology disputes. A March news release said it reached a $2.2 billion settlement with Moderna. The dispute involved alleged unauthorised use of Genevant and Arbutus Biopharma patents in COVID vaccines. During the pandemic, Ramaswamy supported vaccines and took one. Ramaswamy also backed mask use, but opposed mandates.

One firm linked to Ramaswamy, Datavant, promoted a national COVID registry. The proposal aimed to track immunity and reopen parts of society. It also described others continuing to be segregated. After entering politics for the 2024 presidential race, Ramaswamy stepped down from the Roivant board in early 2023. Ramaswamy also paid to remove a Wikipedia reference about Ohio’s response team.

Ramaswamy called that edit a correction and said the panel never met. Ramaswamy’s campaign sent questions about Roivant to the company. Roivant did not answer an email request for comment. In an interview, Ramaswamy said the registry and talks with Husted focused on restarting the economy. \"As a decision maker, you have to weigh the costs and benefits of your actions,\" Ramaswamy said.

Ramaswamy said the approach to the virus was nuanced. Still, Ramaswamy said Acton should face accountability for closures and the primary delay. The 2020 primary later went ahead through mail voting. The dispute over pandemic decisions remained a key dividing line. With both sides pointing to 2020, the campaign kept returning to trust, liberty, and state power.

With inputs from PTI