Republicans Hammer Amy Acton’s Role During Pandemic, Associate Her With Fauci

Ohio Democrat gubernatorial candidate and former Director of the Ohio Department of Health Dr. Amy Acton speaks with supporters during a rally on April 28, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Jon Cherry via Getty Images)As Election Day approaches, Republicans have been going after Dr. Amy Acton for the role she played in lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, the running mate of Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, reposted the video, saying Ohioans suffered harm during the pandemic from Acton’s decisions as the state’s health director. We can choose freedom, or we can go with Fauci,” Ohio Senate candidate Zac Haines said earlier this month, lamenting the lockdowns. A lengthy Politico article about the Ohio Democrat from last summer asked, “Can ‘Ohio’s Anthony Fauci’ Beat Vivek Ramaswamy?”