Home · Politics · Oct 22 archive
Ohio Governor Race Heats Up as Acton and Ramaswamy Vie for Votes
· Confirmed
In Short: The 2026 Ohio governor's race is shaping up as a high-stakes showdown between Democrat Dr. Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, with the field narrowing after former Congressman Tim Ryan announced he will not run.
The 2026 Ohio governor's race is shaping up as a high-stakes showdown between Democrat Dr. Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, with the field narrowing after former Congressman Tim Ryan announced he will not run.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Democratic nominee Deb Haaland is pushing back against President Donald Trump's suggestion to rename the state 'New America,' emphasizing her commitment to providing families with free childcare and college, protecting health care access, and investing in housing.
Haaland's Republican opponent, Gregg Hull, also rejected Trump's suggestion, stating, 'I’m running to be the governor of New Mexico.'
In Wisconsin, the gubernatorial debate covered a range of issues including the cost of living, taxes, education, data centers, immigration enforcement, election security, abortion, and marijuana legalization.
During the debate, incumbent Governor Tony Evers' running mate, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, and Republican challenger Tim Michels, engaged in heated exchanges over Medicaid funding, education policies, and marijuana legalization.
Acton and Ramaswamy are expected to make lieutenant governor announcements in the coming weeks, further intensifying the race.
Health care remains a critical issue, with states considering universal coverage to ease consumer costs and experimenting with Medicaid meal deliveries to cut costs and improve patients' health.
In Wisconsin, both candidates emphasized the importance of health care, with Barnes calling for a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights and Michels proposing to use marijuana tax revenue to support health care.
As the race heats up, both candidates are working to address the concerns of voters and secure their positions in the upcoming election.
What this adds
The narrowing field in Ohio and the intense debate in Wisconsin highlight the increasing focus on health care and economic issues in gubernatorial races.
What's confirmed
- The 2026 Ohio governor's race is shaping up as a high-stakes showdown between Democrat Dr. Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, with the field narrowing after former Congressman Tim Ryan announced he will not run.
- Meanwhile, in New Mexico, Democratic nominee Deb Haaland is pushing back against President Donald Trump's suggestion to rename the state 'New America,' emphasizing her commitment to providing families with free childcare and college, protecting health care access, and investing in housing.
- In Wisconsin, the gubernatorial debate covered a range of issues including the cost of living, taxes, education, data centers, immigration enforcement, election security, abortion, and marijuana legalization.
- During the debate, incumbent Governor Tony Evers' running mate, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, and Republican challenger Tim Michels, engaged in heated exchanges over Medicaid funding, education policies, and marijuana legalization.
- Acton and Ramaswamy are expected to make lieutenant governor announcements in the coming weeks, further intensifying the race.
- Health care remains a critical issue, with states considering universal coverage to ease consumer costs and experimenting with Medicaid meal deliveries to cut costs and improve patients' health.
- In Wisconsin, both candidates emphasized the importance of health care, with Barnes calling for a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights and Michels proposing to use marijuana tax revenue to support health care.
- As the race heats up, both candidates are working to address the concerns of voters and secure their positions in the upcoming election.
What's still developing
- “While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work. 🌶️” Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the Democratic nominee for governor who is vying to succeed Lujan Grisham in November, wrote on X, “I will always stand up for what makes New Mexico, New Mexico” with a video of her at a campaign event.
- The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
- Arielle Zionts [arr-ee-ELL ZY-ence] reads the week’s news: If you’re an older patient taking a long list of medications, consider reviewing them with a primary care provider to make sure they’re helping more than hurting.
- Plus, a nonprofit in Austin, Texas, is trying to keep its city’s music scenes going by helping artists pay for health insurance.
- Plus, the federal government is pulling funding for test strips that can help users detect fentanyl in drugs in favor of other public health approaches.
- Sam Whitehead reads the week’s news: Some health plans are pocketing their enrollees’ drug discounts, while many Affordable Care Act insurers want to raise rates by double digits next year.
- The KFF Health News Minute is available every Thursday via direct download or the RSS feed.
- Katheryn Houghton [CATH-er-in HOW-tun] reads the week’s news: Hundreds of thousands of immigrants with legal status have become ineligible for government health insurance.
- Zach Dyer [DYE-er] reads this week’s news: Health insurance companies promised to make it easier to get doctor-ordered care, but patients are still waiting.
- Jackie Fortiér [FOR-tee-ay] reads the week’s news: More Americans than ever are surviving cancer and face lingering mental health issues.
- Plus, more states are shaming employers that use your tax dollars to cover health costs for their low-income workers.
- Jackie Fortiér [FOR-tee-ay] reads the week’s news: Many small businesses say they can no longer afford to offer their staff health insurance.