The presumptive Democratic candidate for Ohio governor married her son’s high school track coach just months after they both split from their spouses.
The nearly 20-year-old melodrama, which at the time had tongues wagging in Bexley, Ohio, is getting new scrutiny as Amy Acton’s race against Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy for the state’s top post heats up.
Acton, 60, a physician, is the former Ohio director of Public Health under retiring Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. She rose to prominence with her numerous appearances alongside the incumbent during pandemic press conferences.
She touts her work helping to launch the Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation on her campaign website.
But her interactions with coach and future husband Eric Acton were a hot topic in their tiny bedroom community outside Columbus.
Amy was married to Douglas Beech, a psychiatrist, from 1989 until June 2008, when court records show the two separated. They filed for divorce four months later, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Amy bought a house in November 2008.
The split came as their son, a junior, was beginning his season on the cross country team at Bexley High School under then-coach Eric Acton.
Eric Acton, 64, can be seen posing in a team photo in a school yearbook photo while Amy’s son sat nearby.
Seven months later, in May 2009, Barbara Davis-Acton filed for divorce from Eric Acton, declaring they were “incompatible” and had lived “separate and apart” for one year.
Eric resigned at the end of the season, citing personal reasons, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
“It wasn’t just one thing. As a teacher, I always try to evaluate where I am professionally. Between teaching and coaching, I just needed more time for myself,” he told the paper.
He and Barbara finalized their divorce in February 2010. Barbara kept her 2001 Acura, and Eric kept his 2000 BMW, divorce records show.
Eric Acton married Amy five months later, on July 2, 2010, having applied for the license a month earlier. Each couple had three children of their own.
“Folks were talking about it on the team. It was kind of the gossip not only for the teenagers but probably all the parents, too,” a former Bexley High student told The Post.
“My recollection of it was that it was controversial. It was definitely kind of some gossip in the community,” the Bexley grad recalled.
The candidate’s web site references the Brady Bunch-style arrangement — without mentioning the breakups that preceded it.
“Amy lives in Bexley, Ohio with her husband, Eric, a lifelong teacher and coach in Bexley Public Schools. Together they have six kids and enjoy traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with their good friends and growing family,” it says.
The Ramaswamy campaign declined a request for comment.
Ohio, once a national battleground, has been trending Republican for years. The last Democrat to win the governorship was Ted Strickland in 2006.
Acton has seized a 1-point lead over the hard-charging Ramaswamy, a former 2024 presidential candidate, in a pair of recent polls.
DeWine selected Acton to lead the state health department in 2019. She had been an associate professor of public health at Ohio State University.
She gained exposure during regular pandemic news conferences alongside DeWine — and later drew anger from Republicans with coronavirus measures including stay home orders and closing gyms. She resigned her role as director in June 2020.
Eric Acton, Douglas Beech and the former Barbara Davis-Acton did not respond to requests for comment. Amy Acton’s campaign had no comment.
