Ohio Democrats' path to governor's office runs through rural areas that have turned against party

Democrat Amy Acton, running for Ohio governor, is courting rural, Republican-leaning areas, because a Democratic win statewide would have to come through them. Republicans hold the Legislature and every statewide office in Ohio, and no Democrat has won the governor's race since 2006. In Marietta, in Washington County, Acton endorsed a three-year pause on permits for new fracking injection wells, citing worries about groundwater contamination and cleanup costs she put at well over $1 billion. Susan Vessels, the Marietta city council president and a Republican, joined her instead of backing GOP nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, according to PBS NewsHour.

Ramaswamy, endorsed by President Donald Trump, farm groups and the National Rifle Association, says he wants economic growth that safeguards natural resources. His campaign manager, Jonathan Ewing, says voters are angry at an insider system, not only at one party. Staff at a local leather shop remain loyal to Republicans despite higher gas prices. Trump took 71% of the county's vote in 2024.

Democrats believe tariffs, war-driven fuel and fertilizer costs, and Medicaid cuts to rural hospitals are wearing down support. Independent Scott Oancea, 64, says he once backed Trump but will now vote Democratic, including for Acton.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →