Democrat Elected Governor of Ohio Following Mudslinging Campaign

 

TT-AP

 

Published 07:21Updated 08:16

 

Democrat Amy Acton on election night in Columbus, Ohio. Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP/TT

The Democrats are seeing success in the gubernatorial elections, winning the governorship in four states previously held by Republicans.

Democrat Amy Acton has won the election in Ohio—following a campaign by her opponent that drew sharp criticism.

Acton, a physician, becomes the first woman elected governor of the state, defeating the Trump-backed Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

60-year-old Acton campaigned on issues including improved access to healthcare and spoke about her experience of being homeless at times during her youth—a background that, according to the AP, resonated with the working and middle classes.

Mudslinging

The final stretch of the election campaign in Ohio was marked by mudslinging and harsh rhetoric—particularly following a campaign ad for Ramaswamy that drew heavy criticism from both parties. The ad featured an interview with Acton’s mother, who called her daughter a liar. Acton had cut ties with her mother in 1978 after accusing her stepfather of sexual abuse.

The ad was defended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, but it was criticized by several Republican candidates for the Senate and governorship.

The Democratic success—the "blue wave"—appears to extend to the gubernatorial races as well. The party has flipped four governorships from the Republicans while retaining power in several other states.

Democratic Wins

In Texas, Gina Hinojosa becomes the state’s first Democratic governor in more than 30 years, having defeated the Republican candidate, Greg Abbott.

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms becomes the first Black woman in U.S. history to be elected governor, after defeating political newcomer Rick Jackson in the Georgia gubernatorial election. Lance Bottoms previously served as mayor of Atlanta; with her victory, the Democrats reclaim the governorship in Georgia following 23 years of Republican rule.

Trump loyalist and former U.S. Representative Byron Donalds wins the Florida gubernatorial election against Democrat David Jolly. He becomes the first Black governor of Florida.