Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton gives an update on the state's preparedness and education efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Former Ohio Health Director Amy Acton has emerged as the first Democratic candidate for the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race.

Acton officially filed her paperwork on Tuesday.

Acton is a native of Youngstown who earned a master’s degree in public health from Ohio State University. Acton joined Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) cabinet in 2019 before being thrust into the public eye the following year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She was a main advisor for DeWine’s early pandemic response and frequently appeared with him during pandemic-related press briefings.

For her efforts promoting public health, she first received high praise from Ohioans before becoming a target by anti-lockdown activists. Protesters showed up at her home multiple times when lockdowns continued into May, and one Republican legislator used an antisemitic slur against her in a Facebook post. Acton stepped away from the administration in August 2020 amid concerns she would be forced to violate her Hippocratic Oath as some Republican legislators tried to limit her emergency powers.

After her time in the administration and a surge of popularity, Acton considered a U.S. Senate run in 2022 but opted to lead the RAPID 5 nonprofit instead. At the time, Acton said she recognized a genuine longing for a fresh approach to elected leaders.

“While I am not entering the race for U.S. Senate, I recognize there is a genuine longing for a fresh approach to leadership that is honest, collaborative and empowering,” Acton said in a statement. “Ohioans – do not accept anything less from your elected officials. Our leaders’ words and actions matter. We must set the bar higher.”

In a statement to The Columbus Dispatch, Acton said she views many of Ohioans’ problems as unrelated to each political party.

“Ohioans are very independent thinking. They often ask for leadership where people are willing to face the hard problems and bring people around the table,” Acton said. “Problems don’t really care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican.”

Potential Democratic challengers include former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, former U.S. Rep. and 2022 Senate candidate Tim Ryan and Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (R-Columbus).

DeWine is ineligible to seek a third term because of term limits, as are Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) and state auditor Keith Faber (R). All three offices control the drawing of state legislative maps, which has contributed to Republican gerrymandering over the last decade and a half. Attorney General Dave Yost (R) declared his gubernatorial candidacy last month, and LaRose and current Lt. Gov. Jon Husted are more potential candidates on the Republican side.