FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 26, 2026
CONTACT: [email protected]
FACT CHECK: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Billionaire Super PAC Once Again Spreading Lies About Dr. Amy Acton
COLUMBUS, OH – Following new polling showing Dr. Acton out ahead of Vivek Ramaswamy and a ratings change from Inside Elections, Vivek Ramaswamy’s out-of-state billionaire funded Super PAC has once again taken to the airwaves to spread even more lies about Dr. Amy Acton.
In reality, Dr. Acton worked for Republican Governor DeWine who has repeatedly stated that all decisions made during COVID-19 were his, has three decades of medical experience and has been a licensed physician since 1994, and saved countless lives as ODH director. And in a clear sign of desperation, Ramaswamy’s campaign is spreading lies about Dr. Acton’s family.
“Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign continues to struggle under the weight of a deeply unlikeable grifter who calls Ohioans jealous of his billions while backing tax scams that will raise our costs and line his pockets. It’s no surprise that Ramaswamy’s campaign has sunk into the gutter with desperate lies in an attempt to distract from the fact that Ohioans do not like him and do not trust him to lead Ohio,” said Acton campaign manager Phil Stein.
| CLAIM: | FACT CHECK: |
| “You know Amy Acton as the COVID lockdown doctor who closed your child’s school and your friend’s business.” | –Gov. DeWine has repeatedly said any closure decisions were solely his: “The decisions that were made during COVID, they were my decisions, so no one should blame someone else if they don’t like it. The buck stops with me.” [NBC-4] –Vivek Ramaswamy publicly supported mandatory COVID-19 testing, isolation, made $2 billion from the COVID vaccine, and served as an official COVID-19 response advisor to then-Lt. Gov Jon Husted. [NBC-4] –Governor DeWine took full responsibility for temporarily closing businesses during COVID. [Statehouse News Bureau] –Governor DeWine “ordered that all kindergarten through 12th grade schools close for a period of several weeks.” [Office of Governor DeWine] |
| “But was she qualified to do so? Her medical knowledge was described as insufficient to the state medical board.” | –Dr. Acton is a qualified, licensed physician and public health expert with three decades of medical experience. She has a proven track record of saving lives and keeping Ohioans safe. –This review was from a four month internship program. Three years later, upon completing her medical residency, her medical knowledge was rated as “excellent.” –Governor DeWine has applauded Dr. Acton’s “superb,” “wise” counsel and said she has “always put the health of Ohioans first.” [WOSU, 10TV] |
| “And she admitted to police that she was drinking while taking drugs.” | -There was absolutely no evidence that Dr. Acton was intoxicated. –Her husband is on record stating she had only one drink. [NBC 4] –Spreading lies about Dr. Acton’s family is a clear sign of desperation from Ramaswamy’s campaign. |
| “Dr. Acton failed Ohio during COVID. Why would we want her as governor?” | -Dr. Amy Acton didn’t fail Ohio; as Governor DeWine said, “many, many lives” were saved because of Dr. Acton’s “great work” and “advice.” [NBC News] –Under Dr. Acton’s leadership, Ohio was the fastest of all surrounding states to reopen the economy during the pandemic. [Dayton Daily News] –Ohioans know that Dr. Acton is the only candidate in this race they can trust to lower costs, have their backs, and fight to build a brighter future for Ohio. |
###