Ohio Democrats score major wins as Acton takes governor’s race, Brown returns to Senate

By Derek Payne | The Weekly Press

Excerpt: Amy Acton’s historic victory and Sherrod Brown’s Senate comeback delivered Democrats two major Ohio wins with consequences for state government and Washington.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio voters elected Democrat Amy Acton governor and returned Sherrod Brown to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, delivering Republican defeats that challenged the state’s recent conservative trajectory and helped shift power in Washington.

Acton defeated Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to become Ohio’s first woman elected governor. Brown unseated Republican Sen. Jon Husted, reclaiming a place in the chamber two years after losing his previous Senate seat. Their victories made Ohio a significant part of a broader Democratic advance in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

The results carried particular significance in a state whose reputation as a presidential battleground had faded during a decade of Republican gains. Tuesday’s outcome gives Democrats fresh evidence that Ohio remains competitive, although one election does not establish a lasting political realignment.

Acton, a physician and former Ohio Department of Health director, became widely known while helping lead the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She will succeed Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who could not seek another consecutive term. Her victory returns the governor’s office to Democrats for the first time since Ted Strickland left office in 2011.

In remarks following her victory, Acton promised to work across political divisions and address Ohioans’ concerns about costs and government accountability.

“I will work with anyone and everyone, as I always have, to make life better for Ohioans,” she said.

Ramaswamy, who previously sought the Republican presidential nomination, acknowledged his defeat in a concession speech and said his family would remain committed to the country’s future.

Brown’s victory had immediate national implications. The Ohio seat was among the Republican-held seats Democrats captured as they secured control of the Senate, strengthening their ability to challenge President Donald Trump’s agenda during the final two years of his presidency. Control of the House remained unresolved in the reporting available early Wednesday.

The Senate contest was a special election to complete the term JD Vance won in 2022 before becoming vice president. Husted had been appointed to fill the vacancy. Brown will serve the remainder of that term, which ends in January 2029.

Brown’s comeback followed his 2024 defeat by Republican Bernie Moreno. This year’s contest drew more than $500 million in spending by the campaigns and outside groups, underscoring Ohio’s importance in the battle for Senate control.

Election-night outcomes remain subject to Ohio’s official canvass and certification. The secretary of state’s office identifies its published election-night figures as unofficial, with certified statewide results released after county election boards complete their reviews.