**Amy Acton Picks David Pepper as Running Mate for Ohio Governor Race**
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Amy Acton, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Ohio governor in 2024, announced Wednesday that her running mate will be David Pepper, a former Ohio Democratic Party chair and former attorney general nominee from Cincinnati.
Pepper, a 54-year-old attorney, novelist, and son of a former Procter & Gamble CEO, brings to the ticket not only his political experience but also valuable access to campaign funds. His personal network and connections with wealthy liberal donors will be pivotal in helping Acton compete against her likely Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, who has been raising money at a record pace.
A former Cincinnati City Councilman and Hamilton County commissioner, Pepper has prior experience campaigning for statewide office in Ohio. However, his previous bid for attorney general in 2014 ended in a loss to Republican Mike DeWine, who is now Ohio’s governor. Pepper is expected to play the role of a fierce attack dog against Ramaswamy, who is set to unveil Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate during an event in Cleveland on Wednesday evening.
Acton’s selection of Pepper marks a political comeback for the Cincinnati native. Since stepping down as Ohio Democratic Party chair after the 2020 election, Pepper has focused on writing political thriller novels, maintaining a blog called “Pepperspectives,” appearing as a political commentator on national talk shows, and gaining a sizable online following by posting explanatory opinion videos using his trademark whiteboard.
Pepper was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Acton when she began exploring a run for governor in the summer of 2024.
In a statement, Acton praised Pepper as “an innovative and pragmatic leader who has been laser focused on delivering for Ohioans for his entire career, from reducing the property tax rate for Cincinnatians to tackling foreclosures during the 2008 recession.”
“I am thrilled to have David by my side in the fight to lower costs, tackle corruption and special interests, and ensure that every Ohio family can thrive and enjoy the quality of life we all deserve,” Acton added.
Pepper expressed his enthusiasm as well, saying he was “honored and humbled” to join Acton’s ticket.
“Amy is the only candidate in this race who will tackle our affordability crisis and work to lower costs, tackle corruption, and invest in our public schools, so we can finally put working families first, not billionaires or special interests,” Pepper said.
Both Acton and Ramaswamy have waited until nearly the last minute to announce their choices for lieutenant governor. They have until February 4 to circulate petitions with the names of themselves and their running mates, gathering over 1,000 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the May 4 primary.
Similar to the role of the vice president at the federal level, Ohio’s lieutenant governor’s most widely known duty is to assume the governorship if the sitting governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office. Traditionally, lieutenant governors are also assigned control over a state department or agency.
Acton is widely expected to secure the Democratic nomination for governor during the May primary. So far, the only other Democrat to file paperwork to run is Jacob Chiara, a political unknown from Northfield.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/amy-acton-picks-david-pepper-as-her-running-mate-in-2026-ohio-governors-race.html
