Firefighters Union Endorses Dr. Amy Acton in Ohio Gubernatorial Race

In Cincinnati, the Ohio chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters formally endorsed Amy Acton for governor, marking a rare union backing for a Democratic candidate in a state where police unions have rallied behind Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Speaking to union leaders in a hall adorned with fire department memorabilia, Acton referenced her tenure as Ohio’s public health director during the COVID crisis and praised the collective effort of first responders.

She presented a platform focused on reducing medical debt, providing tax rebates for middle-income homeowners, and addressing cost-of-living concerns. Acton also pledged to pursue bipartisan governance, stating she would fill her cabinet with Republicans and cited a recent lunch with former GOP governor Bob Taft as an example of cross-party collaboration. The endorsement underscores a growing divide between Ohio’s police and firefighter unions and highlights Acton’s strategy of leveraging her public-health background to appeal to voters fatigued by partisan conflict.