From humble beginnings in Youngstown, Dr. Amy Acton rose to lead Ohio’s Department of Health — and now she hopes to become the state’s chief executive so she can continue her efforts to serve all of the Buckeye State’s people.

Acton, a Democrat candidate for Ohio governor in 2026, was the keynote speaker for the Belmont County Democrat Party’s 65th Annual Dinner on Thursday evening. Held at Undo’s West in St. Clairsville, the event that party leaders said normally attracts fewer than 80 people this year featured a packed house. Undo’s staffers were forced to set up additional tables to accommodate the large crowd, and party Treasurer Bob Krajnak said 170 tickets were sold. Among the attendees were Democrat officials from Monroe and Jefferson counties.

Prior to the dinner, Acton visited t

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