Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton is mounting a competitive campaign in Republican-leaning Ohio by targeting rural voters. Acton recently backed a three-year moratorium on new fracking injection wells in Washington County, earning the endorsement of local Republican Marietta City Council President Susan Vessels. While Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy campaigns on aggressive energy development, polls show Acton leading the race to succeed term-limited Governor Mike DeWine.
Support for fracking moratorium
- ▪Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton announced her support for a three-year moratorium on permitting new fracking injection wells in rural Washington County, Ohio.
- ▪Susan Vessels, a prominent local Republican and Marietta City Council President, joined Dr. Amy Acton to support the proposed three-year fracking injection well moratorium in Washington County
Ramaswamy's energy stance
- ▪Vivek Ramaswamy stated in Marietta, Ohio, that he supports an economic boom that protects Ohio's natural resources and community water quality.
- ▪Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has strongly advocated for developing American energy sources, including fracking, drilling, coal, and nuclear power.
Acton's rural campaign outreach
- ▪Dr. Amy Acton toured rural hospitals to discuss healthcare access and visited family farms to hear appeals regarding conservation and youth programs.
- ▪Dr. Amy Acton is campaigning in conservative, rural Ohio areas to appeal to voters distressed by rising costs, the war in Iran, and local environmental concerns.
The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race
- ▪A New York Times/Siena University poll conducted between September 22 and October 1, 2026, showed Dr. Amy Acton with an expanding advantage among likely voters in Ohio.
- ▪The last time a Democratic candidate won the governor's race in Ohio was in 2006.
- ▪The 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Mike DeWine features Democrat Dr. Amy Acton against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump's campaign rally in Ohio
- ▪President Donald Trump held a campaign rally on October 3, 2026, in Vandalia, Ohio, to boost Republican candidates, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator Jon Husted.
- ▪President Donald Trump predicted a 'big surprise' in the 2026 midterm elections and urged low-propensity, Trump-loyal voters to turn out even though he is not on the ballot
Debatable claims
- ▪Red-state Democrats are justified in adopting conservative positions on immigration and sports to win voters
- ▪Ohio should implement a moratorium on new fracking injection wells
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