Amy Acton picks David Pepper as her running mate in 2026 Ohio governor’s race

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Amy Acton, nan presumptive Democratic nominee for Ohio politician this year, announced Wednesday that her moving mate will beryllium David Pepper, a erstwhile Ohio Democratic Party chair and erstwhile lawyer wide nominee from Cincinnati.

Pepper, a 54-year-old attorney, novelist and boy of a erstwhile Proctor & Gamble CEO, gives Acton a moving mate pinch entree to immoderate much-needed run rate – not conscionable from wrong his individual circle, but from his contacts pinch able wide donors – to compete pinch Acton’s apt Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, who’s been raising money astatine a grounds pace.

A erstwhile Cincinnati City Councilman and Hamilton County commissioner, Pepper, dissimilar Acton, has anterior acquisition campaigning for statewide agency successful Ohio, though that acquisition progressive getting trounced by Republican (and now-Gov.) Mike DeWine successful nan 2014 title for Ohio lawyer general.

He will besides apt beryllium a festy onslaught canine against Ramaswamy, who’s group to unveil Ohio Senate President Rob McColley of Napoleon as his moving mate successful Cleveland connected Wednesday evening.

Acton’s determination marks a return from nan governmental wilderness for Pepper, who, since being ushered retired arsenic Ohio Democratic Party chair aft nan 2020 election, has turned to penning governmental thriller novels, penning a blog called “Pepperspectives,” making appearances arsenic a governmental commentator connected nationalist talk shows and winning a sizable online pursuing posting explanatory sentiment videos utilizing a trademark whiteboard.

Pepper was among nan earliest and astir enthusiastic supporters of Acton arsenic nan erstwhile authorities wellness head began exploring a tally for politician successful nan summertime of 2024.

In a statement, Acton called Pepper ”an innovative and pragmatic leader who has been laser focused connected delivering for Ohioans for his full career, from reducing nan spot taxation complaint for Cincinnatians to tackling foreclosures during nan 2008 recession.

“I americium thrilled to person David by my broadside successful nan conflict to little costs, tackle corruption and typical interests, and guarantee that each Ohio family tin thrive and bask nan value of life we each deserve,” Acton said.

Pepper, successful a statement, said he was “honored and humbled” to subordinate Acton’s ticket.

“Amy is nan only campaigner successful this title who will tackle our affordability situation and activity to little costs, tackle corruption, and put successful our nationalist schools,so we tin yet put moving families first, not billionaires aliases typical interests,” Pepper said.

Both Acton and Ramaswamy person waited until astir nan past infinitesimal to unveil their choices for lieutenant governor. They now person until Feb. 4 to move petitions pinch nan names of some themselves and their moving mates successful bid to get nan 1,000-plus signatures from registered voters needed to suffice for nan May 4 primary.

As pinch nan agency of vice president connected nan national level, nan astir wide known work of Ohio’s lieutenant politician is to become governor if nan sitting politician dies, resigns, aliases is removed from office. Lieutenant governors traditionally are besides fixed power complete a authorities section aliases agency.

Acton is expected to triumph nan Democratic information for politician during nan state’s May primary. So far, nan only different Democrat to record paperwork to tally for politician is Jacob Chiara, a governmental chartless from Northfield.

Jeremy Pelzer has worked successful nan Columbus bureau of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer since 2013. Prior to that, Pelzer worked for Gongwer News Service successful Ohio and covered authorities and authorities successful Illinois,...