Dr. Amy Acton has selected David Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic Party chair and experienced local official, as her running mate in the Ohio governor’s race. Pepper, 54, is noted for local initiatives such as foreclosure prevention, a prescription drug discount program and efforts to stabilize county finances. His selection coincided with reports that Republican Vivek Ramaswamy would introduce Rob McColley as his running mate, setting up two distinct tickets vying to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine.
Amy Acton Picks Former Ohio Democratic Chair David Pepper As Running Mate
FILE—David Pepper, the chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, speaks at the Hamilton County Board of Elections on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton has named David Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic Party chair and outspoken local official, as her running mate, the campaign confirmed to The Associated Press ahead of the ticket’s first public appearance together.
Pepper, 54, is a lawyer and writer who built his political career in Cincinnati, serving on the Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission. He is the son of a former Procter & Gamble CEO and is known for pushing practical, locally focused initiatives.
Record of Local Problem-Solving
Acton said Pepper’s hands-on record of pragmatic solutions at the county level will be an asset to the campaign. According to the campaign, Pepper led a foreclosure prevention program, launched a prescription drug discount program for county residents, championed an earned income tax credit initiative, balanced the county budget and resisted property tax increases.
“I’ve been going everywhere and listening deeply for almost two years now, and people are longing for public servants again who solve the problems of our everyday life,”
Acton told The Associated Press, adding that she and Pepper share a common vision for Ohio’s future.
Pepper said he sees parallels between the economic challenges he faced in county office during the Great Recession and those confronting Ohio now. He emphasized his experience working across party lines and said he looks forward to applying that approach statewide.
“I’m really looking forward to taking that experience of working across party lines — because, back then, that’s how you did things — and applying that statewide,”
Rival Ticket And Political Context
The announcement came the same day that Acton’s chief Republican rival, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, held a campaign event in Cleveland where reports indicated he planned to introduce his running mate. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce president, Steve Stivers, publicly praised reports that Ramaswamy had chosen Ohio Senate President Rob McColley for lieutenant governor.
“President McColley has been a steadfast champion for Ohio’s business community throughout his legislative career,”
Stivers said, commending McColley’s work on cutting duplicative regulations, simplifying taxes and pursuing energy reforms that supporters say have strengthened the state’s business climate.
McColley, 41, was first elected to the Ohio House in 2014 and was appointed to the Ohio Senate in December 2017. Both tickets — Acton with Pepper and Ramaswamy with McColley — are positioning themselves to succeed Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who is barred by term limits from seeking another term.
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