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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton has selected former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper as her running mate in the race to become Ohio’s next governor, she confirmed to The Associated Press ahead of their first joint public appearance Wednesday.
Pepper, 54, brings significant political and governmental experience to the ticket. The Cincinnati native has served on both the Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission. He is also a lawyer and writer, and comes from a prominent business family—his father was a former CEO of consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble.
“I’ve been going everywhere and listening deeply for almost two years now, and people are longing for public servants again who solve the problems of our everyday life,” Acton said in an interview with the AP. She emphasized that she and Pepper share a common vision for Ohio’s future.
Acton highlighted Pepper’s pragmatic problem-solving abilities at the local government level as a key asset to her campaign. During his time in public service, Pepper led several significant initiatives, including a foreclosure prevention program, a prescription drug discount program for county residents, and an earned income tax credit initiative. His fiscal management record includes balancing the budget and maintaining stable property tax rates.
Pepper drew parallels between his experience in county office during the Great Recession and the current economic climate, suggesting this background has prepared him for statewide leadership challenges.
“I’m really looking forward to taking that experience of working across party lines—because, back then, that’s how you did things—and applying that statewide,” Pepper said, emphasizing his bipartisan approach to governance.
The announcement comes at a critical juncture in Ohio’s gubernatorial race. On the same day as Acton’s announcement, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a billionaire biotech entrepreneur, was expected to reveal his own running mate at a campaign event in Cleveland.
Reports emerged Tuesday night that Ramaswamy had selected Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his lieutenant governor candidate. Ohio Chamber of Commerce President Steve Stivers quickly issued a statement praising the choice.
“President McColley has been a steadfast champion for Ohio’s business community throughout his legislative career,” Stivers said. “His leadership on cutting duplicative regulations, reducing and simplifying our tax burdens, and pushing transformational energy reforms have all directly strengthened Ohio’s competitive position to CNBC’s 5th Best State for Business.”
McColley, 41, entered state politics in 2014 when he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives. He was later appointed to fill a vacancy in the Ohio Senate in December 2017, where he has risen to the chamber’s top leadership position.
The selection of running mates represents a significant milestone in the race to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Mike DeWine, whose second term concludes at the end of this year. The choices reflect differing approaches to appealing to Ohio voters.
Acton, who gained statewide recognition as Ohio’s health director during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, appears to be emphasizing governmental experience and practical problem-solving with her selection of Pepper. The Democratic ticket will likely focus on kitchen-table issues and public service.
Ramaswamy, who built his fortune in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries before entering politics, seems to be strengthening his connections to Ohio’s established Republican political infrastructure by selecting McColley, who brings legislative experience and relationships with the state’s business community.
As the campaign progresses, these contrasting tickets will present Ohio voters with distinct visions for the state’s future following eight years of DeWine’s leadership.
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10 Comments
While Pepper has strong political credentials, I hope Acton and her running mate can still maintain an independent, outsider perspective. Ohio voters seem hungry for new approaches to governing beyond partisan gridlock.
That’s a fair point. Maintaining an independent, problem-solving focus will be key if they want to appeal to a broad range of Ohio voters.
A medical expert and a seasoned political hand – this ticket has an interesting mix of backgrounds. I’m curious to see how Acton and Pepper articulate a shared vision and distinguish themselves from other gubernatorial candidates.
Acton’s public health credentials and Pepper’s political experience could make for a complementary team, but they’ll need to convince voters they can work across the aisle effectively. Curious to see their policy platform take shape.
Agreed. Demonstrating a commitment to bipartisanship and problem-solving over partisan politics will be crucial for this ticket to gain traction in Ohio.
Pepper’s background in law, writing, and local politics seems like a good fit to balance out Acton’s medical expertise. This could be a promising ticket with complementary skills and perspectives.
The Acton-Pepper partnership seems to signal a desire for a pragmatic, collaborative approach to governing. Ohio could use some fresh energy and ideas after years of partisan battles. This race is worth watching closely.
Interesting to see Dr. Acton tapping an experienced political hand like David Pepper as her running mate. His local government experience could complement her public health background well. Curious to hear their vision for Ohio’s future.
I’m glad to see a woman running for Ohio governor and partnering with an accomplished public servant like Pepper. Their focus on pragmatic problem-solving at the community level is refreshing. I’ll be watching this race with interest.
Acton’s emphasis on public service and listening to Ohioans is encouraging. Pepper’s experience in local government could help translate that vision into practical solutions. I’ll be interested to learn more about their specific policy proposals.