Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton drew attention online after delivering an uneven speech at a Labor Day event in which some viewers said she appeared to slur her words and stumble through portions of her remarks. A video from the event prompted speculations and accusations that Acton had possibly been drinking before taking the stage.
Acton spoke Saturday, September 5th, at the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Labor Day Weekend Family Picnic Basket Celebration. The event was held at Stricker’s Grove in Hamilton, Ohio, and featured former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as a guest speaker. Buttigieg introduced Acton, who is running against Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy in November’s election for governor.
“Hi, everybody! Happy Labor Day!” Acton began as she greeted the union crowd. “Oh, good to see everyone. It is so good to see you all here today.” She then commented on the weather before attempting to describe the political moment facing Ohio. “It’s a little warm. Thank you. It’s a little hot. But we are absolutely sitting in that inflection point,” Acton said.
A clip of the remarks was posted by commentator Oli London, who said the candidate had been accused of appearing drunk after “slurring her words on stage and appearing incoherent.” The video circulated with viewers focusing on Acton’s pronunciation and pauses.
Acton continued by telling the audience that she was honored to appear at the event. “I am honored to be here, and honored to be with all of you in this moment,” she said. She then turned to her lack of experience as an elected official, presenting herself as a physician who is still learning how to operate as a political candidate. “Look, I’m a doctor. I am not a politician,” Acton told the crowd.
“I’m becoming one right in front of your eyes.” That description has become a regular part of Acton’s campaign pitch as she attempts to turn her limited electoral experience into an argument that she approaches government differently from conventional politicians. Acton finished the portion of her remarks captured in the clip by recalling the last time she sought an elected position. “My last election was in high school,” she said. “Okay, I did win, so we’re one for one in elected office. We’re on a winning streak.”
The replies beneath the Oli London X post derided Acton’s delivery. One X user wrote, “She seems a bit crazy and yells everything like she doesn’t know that the microphone is connected to the PA.” Another user, commented, “Challenge: Play this back, close your eyes, and tell me this is not Kamala speaking.” Another said, “drunk don’t know, over medicated, don’t know, sounding like an idiot, for sure…”
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Watch Acton’s slurred Labor Day remarks here:
Acton served as director of the Ohio Department of Health under Republican Governor Mike DeWine and became one of the state’s most recognizable public officials during the opening months of the COVID-19 pandemic. She issued statewide restrictions that closed schools, gyms, and numerous businesses. In March 2020, Acton also ordered polling places closed on public-health grounds, effectively postponing Ohio’s presidential primary. Acton resigned as health director in June 2020 following protests, lawsuits, and intense opposition to the administration’s pandemic policies, according to the Associated Press.
The physician entered the 2026 race without having previously won public office and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She now faces Ramaswamy, a former biotechnology executive and 2024 Republican presidential candidate, in the general election. Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor since Ted Strickland won the office in 2006.
The Labor Day celebration was promoted as an event for union members and their families, with Buttigieg scheduled to introduce Acton during the labor program. Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman and Ohio AFL-CIO officials were also advertised as participants. The gathering included amusement rides, miniature golf, food, and speeches from Democratic candidates and labor leaders.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.