BEXLEY, Ohio — Dr. Amy Acton announced Thursday that she has stepped down from her role at The Columbus Foundation to "carefully consider" how she can best serve Ohioans "at this crucial time."
"In recent weeks, there has been much speculation about my possible interest in running for the United States Senate in 2022," Acton said. "Many Ohioans have shared with me their concerns and the daily challenges they face. They have expressed a need for a new approach that can help them, and their communities thrive. I am humbled by the outpouring of interest and support."
Acton said it was for that reason that she stepped down from her current role. She joined The Columbus Foundation last year after resigning from her post as the director of the Ohio Department of Health.
Last month, U.S. Senator Rob Portman announced that he would not be seeking reelection in 2022, thus opening up a seat for contenders.
RELATED: Ohio U.S. Senator Rob Portman won't seek re-election in 2022
Acton became a fixture of DeWine’s daily briefings during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was widely praised, including by DeWine, for her “wealth of knowledge, combined with her calming bedside manner” and for remaining “strong, resolute, determined and brave” in the face of criticism.
Every day, she delivered the sometimes-grim statistics as COVID-19 spread around the state, and as director of the ODH, signed into effect some of the most impactful public health orders in the state’s attempt to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of the disease.
Others chose Acton as a target for strife amid the impacts of the novel coronavirus and the state’s response. Protesters gathered outside her home in Bexley, Ohio in May of last year. A number of bars and restaurants named Acton personally in lawsuits over the state’s lockdown of businesses in 2020 and their subsequent orders and guidelines around reopening. Several state representatives called for Acton’s resignation.
"Whatever my decision, I know with absolute certainty I won’t stop working to provide healing and hope to all Ohioans," Acton said.
RELATED: Dr. Amy Acton leaving state government to return to Columbus Foundation
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