Decision Desk HQ projected at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET Tuesday that Democrat Amy Acton has defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the race for Ohio governor. CNN and The Associated Press followed with their own calls at about 10:50 p.m. ET. (Columbus Dispatch; Associated Press)

With roughly 86% of the expected vote counted, Acton led Ramaswamy 50.69% to 45.96% — 2,078,290 votes to 1,876,035, according to AP data. This is a projection; results remain unofficial until county boards of elections certify the vote.

First woman elected — and a 20-year drought ends

Acton, 60, will be the first woman elected governor of Ohio. Republican Nancy Hollister briefly held the office for 11 days in 1998–99 but was appointed, not elected. Acton is also the first Democrat to win the governorship since Ted Strickland in 2006 — breaking a 20-year Democratic losing streak in a state President Trump has now carried three times. (Akron Beacon Journal; Reuters)

The candidates

Acton is the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, where she led the state’s early COVID-19 response under Gov. Mike DeWine. Her running mate is David Pepper. Ramaswamy, 41, is a billionaire entrepreneur and former presidential candidate backed by President Trump; his running mate is Rob McColley. Libertarian Don Kissick drew more than 3% of the vote. DeWine is term-limited, and Acton is scheduled to be inaugurated Jan. 11, 2027.

A bitter campaign

The race was marked by personal attacks from both sides, including a Ramaswamy television ad in the campaign’s final weeks featuring Acton’s estranged mother.

Toledo angle

The governor’s office changes parties after two decades of Republican control. Lucas County votes were still being counted at publication time.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons.