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Former Congressman Tim Ryan Steps Aside in Ohio Governor’s Race, Clearing Path for Amy Acton
Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan announced Friday he will not seek Ohio’s governorship in 2026, removing a major obstacle for former state health director Dr. Amy Acton in the race to challenge Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
“After careful consideration, much prayer and reflection, and after long conversations with my family, my closest friends and advisers, I’ve made the decision not to run for governor in 2026,” Ryan said in a statement.
The 52-year-old Ryan, who served 10 terms in Congress, had been considering a bid after both Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel opted out of the race. Ryan had built substantial statewide name recognition during his 2022 Senate campaign against now-Vice President JD Vance.
Ryan’s decision significantly benefits Acton, who gained prominence as Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s state health director during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though a political newcomer, Acton was widely expected to receive backing from former Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio’s most influential Democrat, which would have complicated Ryan’s path to the nomination.
Political analysts suggest Ryan’s recent private sector work might have presented campaign challenges. Since leaving Congress, he has lobbied for BPI Action, a bitcoin advocacy organization, and performed public relations for Natural Allies of Clean Energy, which promotes natural gas as part of climate change solutions.
Acton, 59, has been campaigning across Ohio since launching her bid in January. Her response to Ryan’s announcement signals she intends to focus on economic issues in her campaign against Ramaswamy.
“While the special interests that run our state are doing just fine, they’ve made a mess for the rest of us, and I will not allow a billionaire Washington insider like Vivek Ramaswamy take us down an even worse path,” Acton said in a statement. “I’m running for governor because it’s time for a change. Together, we can lower costs, give Ohioans a little breathing room, and build the Ohio we all deserve.”
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former co-chair of President Donald Trump’s DOGE initiative, quickly consolidated Republican support after entering the race in February. His rapid rise forced Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to abandon his own gubernatorial ambitions and deterred Tressel from running. Gov. DeWine helped clear Ramaswamy’s path by appointing then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, considered the GOP front-runner, to Vance’s vacant Senate seat.
“While the Democrats have spent months fighting to secure their shrinking base, Vivek has been talking to voters of all political persuasions to build an unprecedented coalition of support that includes conservative leaders and farmers to truckers and labor unions — and we’re just getting started,” campaign spokesperson Connie Luck said.
The financial landscape heavily favors Ramaswamy at this stage. As of August, he reported raising $9.7 million compared to Acton’s $1.35 million, giving him a substantial early advantage in campaign resources.
Both candidates seek to succeed the term-limited DeWine, who turns 78 this year. Acton and DeWine worked closely during the early pandemic response, appearing together in widely viewed daily briefings. Acton often became the face of Ohio’s aggressive pandemic measures, including the controversial cancellation of Ohio’s 2020 presidential primary and statewide closures of fitness facilities that a judge later described as “oppressive.”
These actions alienated some Ohioans while reassuring others. Public health experts from other states frequently praised Ohio’s early pandemic response under Acton’s guidance.
Ohio Democratic Chair Kathleen Clyde expressed the party’s commitment to supporting Acton’s campaign. “As governor, I know that Amy Acton will fight for lower costs, clean up corruption in the Statehouse and give power back to the people by ending partisan gerrymandering once and for all,” she said.
The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race is shaping up as a contest between two candidates with vastly different backgrounds and visions for the state – a physician with public health experience versus a wealthy entrepreneur with close ties to Trump – in a state that has trended increasingly Republican in recent years.
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9 Comments
Ryan’s decision not to run opens the door for Acton, but she’ll need to rally the Democratic base and appeal to independents to have a shot at winning. Ramaswamy’s business background could resonate with voters, so Acton will have to craft a compelling economic message.
This is an important decision by Ryan. It clears the way for Acton to mount a strong challenge, but she’ll need to quickly establish herself as a serious candidate and articulate a compelling vision for the state. The Ohio governor’s race is shaping up to be one to watch.
This is a significant development in the Ohio governor’s race. Ryan’s decision to step aside opens the door for Acton, but she’ll have her work cut out for her trying to unseat Ramaswamy. Her public health background could be an asset, but she’ll need to build a strong political operation and connect with voters on a wide range of issues.
Ryan’s decision is a strategic move, and it will be interesting to see how Acton positions herself against Ramaswamy. Her public health expertise could be an asset, but she’ll need to build a strong political organization and articulate a clear vision for the state.
Interesting that Ryan is stepping aside for Acton. She certainly gained a lot of visibility during the pandemic, though her lack of political experience could be a challenge. I wonder what the dynamics will be between her and Ramaswamy if he runs for governor.
I’m curious to see how Acton’s background as a public health expert will influence her campaign platform and policy priorities. The Ohio governor’s race is shaping up to be an interesting contest, especially with Ramaswamy’s potential entry.
Ryan’s decision not to run is a strategic move. He’s probably eyeing another political opportunity down the line. Acton will have her work cut out for her trying to unseat an incumbent Republican governor, but her health expertise could be an asset.
Acton’s background as a public health expert could be a double-edged sword. While it may resonate with some voters, it could also open her up to criticism from those who view her pandemic response as overreach. She’ll need to strike the right balance in her campaign messaging.
It’s surprising to see Ryan bow out of the governor’s race, but perhaps he feels he has a better shot at a different office. Acton will need to quickly build a strong political operation to take on Ramaswamy, who has name recognition and resources.