FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 14, 2026
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ICYMI: Cook Political Report Shifts Ohio Governor’s Race to Toss-Up, Points to “Clear Likeability Problem”
COLUMBUS, OH– Last week, the Cook Political Report announced it has moved the Ohio governor’s race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss-Up,” a shift reflecting the grassroots energy seen on the ground, enthusiasm for Dr. Acton’s commitment to common sense leadership, and Team Acton’s record-breaking fundraising totals. This is the first time since 2018 that the Ohio governor’s race has been rated as Toss-Up.
See coverage below:
On the Airwaves:
On WCMH:
Anchor: “The non-partisan Cook political report shifted its ratings today in 5 gubernatorial races, including here in Ohio.”
Anchor: “In the Buckeye State, the race has shifted from lean Republican to a toss-up.”
Anchor: “The report pointed to a series of polls showing Democrat Amy Acton, the state’s former Health Director, either narrowly leading or tied with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.”
Anchor: “Some Ohio Republicans privately acknowledged to Cook that they are not optimistic about Ramaswamy and believe it will be a very tight race.”
On WCPN:
Anchor: “A prominent political forecaster says Ohio’s Governor’s race is now a toss-up.”
Anchor: “The Cook Political Report shifted the contest between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton from leaning Republican, citing competitive polling and concerns among some Republicans about Ramaswamy’s appeal.”
In Print:
The Hill: Cook Political Report moving 4 of 5 gubernatorial races toward Democrats
- Ohio also became more competitive for Democrats, with Cook pointing to a series of polling showing Amy Acton (D), the state’s former health director, either narrowly leading or tied with biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (R), despite his multimillion-dollar advertising campaign largely attacking her regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Some Ohio Republicans privately acknowledged to Cook that they “are not optimistic about Ramaswamy” and believe it will be a “very tight race.”
- “This was the wrong guy to roll the dice with in this political environment,” one GOP source told the election handicapper.
Washington Examiner: Ohio gubernatorial race shifts toward Democrats as Ramaswamy weaknesses come to the fore
- Ohio’s governor’s seat tilted toward the Democratic Party’s favor, as Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy challenges a rival with broad name recognition.
- Cook Political Report credited its change to what it described as Ramaswamy’s “clear likeability problem … even some in his own party.” It said that while the wealthy biotech entrepreneur has poured millions into advertising designed to boost his image and attack Acton’s record over her handling of COVID-19, “polling available after a few weeks of airtime has still shown Acton narrowly ahead or tied.”
- The public doesn’t appear to have embraced Ramaswamy’s take on Acton. With less than four months until voters cast their ballots, polling indicates a tight race between the two. In 270 to Win’s average of polling, Acton leads, 48% to 46.7%.
- Acton has highlighted affordability messaging on the campaign trail, seeking to portray Ramaswamy as an out-of-touch billionaire, and attacking him for his wealth.
Newsweek: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Chances of Losing in Ohio as Race Shifted to ‘Toss Up’
- Democrat Amy Acton’s chances of beating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio governor race received a boost on Friday as the Cook Political Report shifted the race to its “toss-up” category.
- The Cook Political Report is a major elections forecaster, so its reclassification of the race from “lean Republican” underscores how competitive Ohio will be in the midterms.
- “Cook Political Report and ABC News have both moved it into toss-up territory. That’s remarkable in a state where no Democrat has won governor in 20 years.”
- The race has become so competitive due to Ramaswamy’s favorability challenges, Acton having crossover appeal and the overall national environment.
- Ohio voters have a “deeply populist streak and have been feeling a lot of economic and societal anxiety over the past few election cycles.”
- Acton has “leaned into the role of listener and healer,” potentially helping her among independents and disaffected Republicans.
Columbus Dispatch: Who will win race for Ohio governor? Key forecaster calls it a toss-up
- The Ohio governor’s race is getting tighter because of concerns about GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, according to a prominent political forecaster.
- The Cook rating change came as polls show a competitive contest between Ramaswamy and Acton. Ramaswamy has attacked Acton’s record as Ohio Department of Health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Acton paints her opponent as out of touch with everyday Ohioans.
- Both candidates are highlighting pocketbook issues, albeit in different ways. Ramaswamy pledged to phase out income taxes and slash property taxes. Acton pitched a plan to provide child tax credits, eliminate medical debt and expand tax breaks for low- and moderate-income workers.
Newsmax: Ohio Governor Race Now a Toss-Up
- Ohio’s race for governor has become one of the nation’s top political battlegrounds after a leading nonpartisan election forecaster shifted the contest from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up,” underscoring Democrats’ hopes of making gains in this year’s midterms.
- [Dr. Amy Acton’s] campaign has portrayed Ramaswamy as an out-of-touch billionaire, arguing Ohio families are struggling with rising costs while he travels on a private jet.
- Several recent polls reflect the race’s competitiveness.
- The contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races of 2026.
Online:
@CookPolitical: The Cook Political Report is moving five governors’ race ratings, all but one in the direction of Democrats. That includes moving Ohio’s contest from Lean Republican to Toss Up.
@amyactonoh: This is what happens when Ohioans come together around a simple idea: our state deserves leadership that lowers costs, restores trust, and puts people first. We’re just getting started.
@AndrewJTobias: The Cook Political Report has re-rated Ohio’s governor’s race as a toss-up. “Ohio will test whether limitless spending can buy a governor’s race even if the candidate has obvious flaws.”
@SamNewton: New: Cook Political Report shifts OH Gov from Lean R to Toss Up. “High-quality polling available after a few weeks of airtime has still shown Acton narrowly ahead or tied… Ohio Republicans we talked to are not optimistic about Ramaswamy…”
@JessicaTaylor: #OHGov: Lean R —> Toss Up
@haleybemiller: Today in Ohio politics: @CookPolitical moved the governor’s race to a toss-up.
@DavidPepper: TOSS UP. Cook Political Report: “Ohio Republicans we talked to are not optimistic about Ramaswamy and believe it’s a very tight race. “This was the wrong guy to roll the dice with in this political environment,” one GOP source told us.” Of course, Ramaswamy’s jetting across Europe as this hits.
@PpollingNumbers: New – Cook political ratings change. Governor Ohio – 🔴 Lean R ⏩ 🟡 Toss up
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