Dr. Amy Acton has picked a veteran of state Democratic politics as her running mate on the 2026 gubernatorial ticket.
David Pepper is a Democratic operative from Cincinnati who was chair of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2015 through 2020.
In a statement, Acton praised Pepper as an “innovative and pragmatic leader” who helped lower property taxes and fight foreclosures during his tenure as a local elected leader in Cincinnati in the 2000s.
“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 said of her choice for lieutenant governor.
Both Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy are running to replace Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who will leave office at the end of the year because of term limits. The primary election will be held in May, followed by the general election in November.
Acton, who served as DeWine’s state health department director in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, does not currently have a major opponent in the Democratic primary. Ramaswamy is heavily favored to win the GOP nomination, although he recently drew a new Republican opponent – Casey Putsch, an auto engineering hobbyist with a social media following from the Toledo area.
Who is David Pepper?
Pepper, 54, is a Yale law graduate who comes from one of Cincinnati’s most prominent families. His father, John Pepper, is a former CEO of Procter & Gamble, the Cincinnati-based company. His mother, Francie Pepper, was perhaps the state’s top Democratic political donor when she died early last year.
Pepper previously held local elected office, serving on Cincinnati city council and the Hamilton County commission during the 2000s. He ran unsuccessfully for state office twice in the 2010s, including losing to now-Gov. Mike DeWine in the 2014 election.
After working his way up to state party chair in 2015, Pepper drew praise among party activists for helping Democrats win three seats on the Ohio Supreme Court in 2018 and 2020 – prompting state Republicans to change the law so that party labels for judicial candidates would appear on the ballot for the first time.
But Pepper also faced criticism for the state party’s failure in 2018 to win any statewide executive offices. After President Donald Trump solidly won Ohio for a second time in 2020, Pepper quit his job.
More recently, Pepper has been a full-time author of political thriller novels, turning a writing hobby he began while leading the state party into a job. His fans include former President Bill Clinton – who wrote a blurb for one of Pepper’s novels – which offers a hint at Pepper’s connections within the broader Democratic Party.
Pepper also has amassed a large social media following after years of prolific posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. His role in politics now is largely behind the scenes, although he was an active critic of a Republican effort in 2023 to make it harder to amend the state constitution. That measure failed, and failed to defeat an abortion rights amendment voters approved later in the year.
Pepper and his wife Alana live in Cincinnati with their two school-age children, according to the Acton campaign.
What does the Ohio lieutenant governor do anyway?
Ohio’s lieutenant governor position is comparable to the U.S. vice president – both are impressive titles that carry little formal power, beyond being next in line in succession should a governor unexpectedly die or otherwise leave office.
Lieutenant governors typically serve in the governor’s cabinet, and traditionally are appointed to run a state department. The role carries a potentially larger salary than the $186,867 set for the position in state law.
But traditionally, a running mate carries political responsibilities. Governors typically try to choose a candidate who can help with fundraising or bring other relationships to the campaign. They also often look for someone who has a contrasting professional experience or personal background.
In Pepper’s case, he should be able to help Acton make connections in Cincinnati, although he’s already done so as a behind-the-scenes supporter of her candidacy. He has previous experience as a local elected official – while Acton has never run for office at any level.
The job also can serve as a springboard for higher office – DeWine served as lieutenant governor in the early 1990s, for instance – although no Ohio lieutenant governor has ever been directly elected as state governor.