Democrat Amy Acton Wins Ohio Governor’s Race Over Vivek Ramaswamy, DDHQ Projects
The former state health director beat the Trump-backed billionaire to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, in a state Trump won by 11 points.
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Democrat Amy Acton has won the Ohio governor’s race over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Decision Desk HQ projected. The call came at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
The result flips the governorship from Republican control. Gov. Mike DeWine is term-limited, CBS News reported, and Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor since 2006.
A Bitter Race in a Red-Shifting State
With an estimated 75% of the vote counted, Acton led 50.5% to 46.1%, Decision Desk HQ tallies showed. Her early lead narrowed as more votes came in.
Acton led Ohio’s health department during the early COVID-19 pandemic under DeWine. Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire, ran with Trump’s endorsement after briefly co-leading DOGE.
Ohio has moved from political bellwether to deep-red territory over the past decade, the Washington Post wrote. Trump carried the state by 11 points in 2024.
Part of a Wider Democratic Night
The call adds to Democratic gains across the map. Decision Desk HQ projected that Democrats will win the House and that James Talarico flipped Texas’s Senate seat.
Kamer Kurunç
Kamer Kurunç is the Team Leader of Clash Report and has led the outlet for four years. He oversees its breaking world news coverage, from the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war to defense and global politics. His focus is fast, verified, source-based reporting. Follow him on X at @kamerknc.
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