A previously undisclosed 2019 police report is bringing new attention to Amy Acton as she campaigns for governor of Ohio, detailing a domestic incident at her home that had not been publicly known.
According to the report, officers responded to Acton’s residence in Bexley in August 2019 following a call regarding a domestic dispute. At the time, Acton was serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health.
The report states that during an argument with her husband, she became upset and pulled a mirror from the wall, causing it to shatter.
Police documentation indicates Acton told officers she had consumed alcohol and taken an unspecified amount of prescription medication that evening.
She also stated she had been preparing to leave the home before her husband intervened and convinced her not to drive. Her husband similarly acknowledged he had been drinking, NBC News reported.
Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to evaluate her condition, and a medic advised hospital treatment, which she declined.
Officers ultimately determined there were no signs of physical violence, characterizing the situation as a verbal dispute that may have been influenced by work-related stress and long hours.
The episode remained largely out of public view as Acton later rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serving alongside Gov. Mike DeWine (R), she became a highly visible figure during daily briefings, helping shape Ohio’s early public health response while drawing both support and criticism.
Now a Democratic candidate for governor, Acton is expected to face Vivek Ramaswamy in a closely watched race, Trending Politics reported.
The resurfacing of the report comes as attention shifts toward candidates’ past conduct ahead of the election.
Acton’s campaign has disputed key elements of the police account.
In a written response, her team said she had one drink at dinner and described the incident as a verbal disagreement during which she “bumped into a wall hanging which fell.”
The campaign also stated she was not intoxicated and had only taken medications prescribed for routine use.
Her team further maintained that she was already asleep by the time officers arrived and rejected the suggestion that medical attention was necessary.
The statement added that any serious impairment would have been reflected in the responding officers’ report.
The incident was not widely known within the DeWine administration at the time.
A spokesperson for the governor said he only became aware of the matter after being contacted by reporters, adding that the allegations described were concerning and would have warranted disclosure.
Acton’s tenure during the pandemic continues to be a defining issue in the race.
She became a polarizing figure as Ohio implemented restrictions and public health measures, with critics pointing to the economic and social impact of those policies, while supporters viewed her as a steady voice during a period of uncertainty.
As the campaign moves forward, the resurfaced report introduces a new point of tension in an already competitive race.
The renewed attention places additional focus on Acton’s background as voters weigh her public record against her leadership during one of the most consequential public health crises in modern history.
