Democrat Amy Acton Defeats Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio Governor’s Race

Time · Daily Caller, NBC News and Daily Caller report that Democrat Amy Acton has won Ohio's governor's race over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, giving her party the office for the first time since Ted Strickland's 2006 victory. The outcome stings Republicans, since Donald Trump carried the state three straight times and endorsed Ramaswamy.

NBC News adds that Acton, 60, is the first woman elected governor of the state and will succeed Republican Mike DeWine, under whom she directed the health department early in the pandemic. The Associated Press tally had her at 50.8%; Time · Daily Caller lists Ramaswamy at 45.9% with 86% counted, while the Daily Caller says 45.8% with 87%.

The contest turned bitter after Ramaswamy's campaign ran an October ad featuring Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, urging voters to reject her. NBC News says he refused to pull or apologize for it, and the Daily Caller says the campaign put $4 million behind it. Acton's brother, Philip Stearns, called the spot "a despicable low." The Daily Caller adds that Ramaswamy raised $82 million, half from his own money, against just under $38 million for Acton.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Time · Daily Caller, NBC News and Daily Caller’s reporting. Read the full story at Time · Daily Caller → Also at NBC News → Also at Daily Caller →