Amy Acton: Democratic Party; running mate David Pepper; incumbent: No

Vivek Ramaswamy: Republican Party; running mate Robert A. McColley; incumbent: No

Source: the Wood County Board of Elections certified candidate list, dated August 26, 2026. The official sources reviewed list these two tickets; check the Ohio Secretary of State for the full statewide list.

Stated Position on Taxes: Acton has stated her top priority is a Working Families Tax Cut, including an expanded Earned Income Credit for up to 775,000 families and a child tax credit of $1,000 a year for ages 0-6 and $500 a year for ages 7-18. She has also stated she would raise the senior Homestead Exemption income cap to $50,000 and create a property tax rebate of up to $1,000 for qualifying homeowners whose bills rise more than 4%.

Stated Position on Energy Costs: Acton has stated she would appoint Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) commissioners who put ratepayers first and restore the budget of the Office of the Consumers’ Counsel. She has also stated she would reinstate energy efficiency, demand response and renewable portfolio standards that were removed under House Bill 6, and expand energy assistance programs.

Stated Position on Data Centers: Acton supports a conditional moratorium requiring data centers to cover 100% of their utility costs, build with union labor and meet Ohio’s environmental standards. She has also stated she would end data center nondisclosure agreements and require new data centers to be built on brownfield or previously developed industrial sites.

Stated Position on Health Care: Acton has stated she would launch “Ohio Rx,” an online platform using the state’s Medicaid purchasing power to lower prescription drug prices. She has also stated that on her first day in office she would direct the state to join Ohio cities that have relieved medical debt.

Stated Position on Education: Acton has stated she would fully implement the Fair School Funding Plan and reform Ohio’s school voucher program. She has also stated she supports free school breakfast and lunch.

Stated Position on Public Safety: Acton has stated she would fully fund local law enforcement and first responders. She has also stated she would invest in addiction treatment, mental health services and community programming.

Stated Position on Taxes: Ramaswamy has stated he would phase out the state income tax, starting with eliminating capital gains taxes. He has also stated he would reduce property taxes immediately and fund homeowner property tax rebates with data center property tax revenue.

Stated Position on Energy Costs: Ramaswamy has stated he would expand natural gas and new energy technologies to reduce electric bills. He has also stated he would streamline energy project permits and remove regulations he describes as unnecessary.

Stated Position on Data Centers: Ramaswamy has stated he would issue an executive order on his first day halting approval of new data center project announcements until legislation takes effect. He has also stated that legislation would require residents near a data center to pay nothing for home electricity, prohibit property tax abatements for future data centers, apply air and water standards without exception, and prevent construction if any condition is unmet.

Stated Position on Health Care: Ramaswamy has stated he would reform Medicaid to reduce fraud, including seeking a federal waiver to keep 65% of recovered fraud dollars. He has also stated he supports work requirements for able-bodied adults and biometric and electronic visit verification.

Stated Position on Education: Ramaswamy has stated he would raise academic standards for 3rd-grade literacy, 8th-grade numeracy and 12th-grade civics, and pay top teachers more. He has also stated he would expand parent transparency and school choice, and expand career-technical education and apprenticeships.

Stated Position on Public Safety: Ramaswamy has stated he would enforce stricter bail and sentencing for repeat violent offenders. He has also stated he would empower local police and sheriffs to arrest violent criminals and address severe psychiatric illness.

Amy Acton: https://actonforgovernor.com/issue/acton-lowering-costs-affordability-agenda/

Vivek Ramaswamy: https://vivekforohio.com/the-plan/

Ballot lineup: https://boe.woodcountyohio.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1006/Candidate-List

LegisLedger does not endorse candidates. This comparison is compiled from public records and campaign statements.