Unions support Amy Acton for governor, promise to oppose Vivek Ramaswamy

Several prominent public employee unions in Ohio have announced their support for former state Health Director Dr. Amy Acton in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election. The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, and AFSCME Retirees Chapter 1184 publicly endorsed Acton during an event on December 4, representing over 100,000 Ohio workers collectively.

Union officials emphasized that Acton is a candidate who values and respects American workers. In contrast, they criticized her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, who in 2024 referred to American workers as mediocre on social media. Ramaswamy had linked American culture to technology companies preferring foreign-born or first-generation engineers, writing that American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.

Lee Saunders, president of AFSCME International, condemned Ramaswamys comments, calling him a man who represents everything AFSCME opposes, highlighting his past remarks about Ohio workers. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate, has targeted teachers unions in his campaign for merit-based pay reforms, stating he is not explicitly campaigning to eliminate them, but is not opposed to the idea either.

Acton criticized a proposal from Ramaswamy suggesting year-round schooling to address childcare challenges, calling it out of touch with Ohio families. The union endorsements followed the announcement by former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan that he would not run against Acton in a Democratic primary. Since then, Acton has also received backing from former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and the United Auto Workers.

Acton has personal ties to union traditions; her grandfather worked in Youngstown steel mills, and her husband is a longtime teacher and coach. We are very proud to be a union home, Acton stated.

The 2026 governors race will see Acton competing against Ramaswamy to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. Despite Ramaswamys Republican affiliation, he has also received endorsements from trade unions like the Ohio Teamsters Union and the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters.

Author: Natalie Monroe