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GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES ADDRESS THE ISSUES
Acton, Ramaswamy on caregiving, the economy, age-friendly policies
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On the Nov. 3 ballot for Ohio governor are Republican business leader Vivek Ramaswamy, 41, and Democrat Amy Acton, 60, a doctor and former director of the Ohio Department of Health. Both responded to written questions from the Bulletin. Questions and answers were edited for space and clarity.
Ohio is an AARP age-friendly state, with a commitment to communities that work better for people of all ages. How would you help state agencies and communities plan for Ohio’s growing older population?
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ACTON: This is an issue that is personally important to me; both my husband and I have had to navigate the demands of caring for aging family members while raising our own kids. Ohio’s senior population is expected to top 3 million in the next few years, and we have the chance to make Ohio a leader in elder care.
I am committed to supporting our seniors, from lowering property taxes to expanding access to critical health care services like Medicaid and Medicare to lowering costs, from groceries to prescriptions. I’m committed to investing in systems that improve Ohio seniors’ quality of life through prioritizing senior centers, improving telehealth options and investing in continuing education programs.
RAMASWAMY: I want Ohio to continue being a state that shows respect for the oldest members of our population. These are the people who worked hard, strengthened our communities and created opportunities for my generation and my kids’ generation. That’s not just a policy priority, it’s a moral duty. I’m proud Ohio is an age-friendly state, and as governor, I’ll work with our 12 Area Agencies on Aging and local communities to expand services that help seniors remain in their homes and neighborhoods. That includes improving walkability, telemedicine, internet access and housing options such as accessory dwelling units and in-law suites, while delivering meaningful property tax relief for all homeowners, especially seniors.
AARP research shows Ohioans age 50-plus contribute $411 billion to the economy. How would you make Ohio’s growing older population part of the state’s economic growth strategy?
RAMASWAMY: Ohio should lead the nation’s longevity economy. I know the opportunity firsthand from co-founding Chapter, a company that helps seniors navigate Medicare, and as governor, I’ll attract innovators who build products and services for older adults while expanding retirement savings opportunities so more Ohioans can retire with dignity and financial security.
ACTON: My No. 1 priority as governor is to make Ohio a more affordable place for all of us. Lowering costs means that Ohioans’ money goes farther, retirement funds go farther, and seniors can afford their health care, from prescription drug costs to long-term care. Seniors are often living on a fixed income, and I’m working to lower costs to put more money back in their pockets. I am laser focused on delivering meaningful property tax relief to Ohioans, especially to our seniors. Keeping our neighbors in their homes and communities helps all of us.
More than 40 percent of Ohio’s private sector workers lack access to a traditional pension or employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. What would you do to help workers save for retirement?
ACTON: Ohioans are the hardest working people I know, and they deserve to retire with dignity and to feel secure about their future. As governor, I will strongly support Ohio’s unions and ensure that all union workers have the ability to negotiate for the benefits they deserve, from health care to retirement. I will also expand financial literacy program access, especially for older Ohioans, to support workers in saving for retirement.
RAMASWAMY: I saw what a strong retirement plan meant for my dad after decades at GE in Cincinnati, providing peace of mind and financial security. Every Ohio worker deserves that opportunity. Too many seniors rely solely on Social Security, and I support voluntary work and save programs that help workers build wealth through payroll deductions and compound growth. My goal isn’t just for Ohioans to retire with a safety net, but with dignity, independence and real financial security.
About 2.2 million Ohioans are family caregivers for a family member or friend. How would you ensure family caregivers have the social and financial support they need?
RAMASWAMY: This is very personal to me. My mom was a geriatric psychiatrist, and I would go to nursing homes with her after school because we didn’t have childcare support. I learned how much families sacrifice to care for loved ones, and we must ensure they have the financial support to make that care sustainable. We can lower health care costs by supporting family caregivers who help seniors remain safely at home and avoid more expensive nursing home care and preventable complications. We must also aggressively prosecute Medicaid fraud, recover stolen taxpayer dollars and redirect those resources to the families and legitimate providers delivering care on the front lines.
ACTON: My No. 1 priority as governor is to tackle our affordability crisis. I will institute a working families tax cut, offer property tax relief, and put more money back into Ohioans’ pockets so all of us can get ahead, including family caregivers. I will prioritize rooting out the waste, fraud and abuse around Medicaid while making sure that the Ohioans who need affordable, accessible health care are able to access it.
Ohio consumers reported losing $308 million to fraud in 2025 — from a range of impostor, romance, tech-support and other scams. What would you do to combat fraud in the state and help Ohioans protect their savings and financial independence?
ACTON: Ohio had the 6th largest number of complaints about elder scams in the country in 2023, with folks losing more than $60 million. We need to protect our seniors from predatory practices, fraud and overzealous collectors. As governor, I will make tackling corruption, fraud, waste and abuse a priority.
RAMASWAMY: This is an important issue where a governor can make a real difference by enforcing laws already on the books. Restoring the rule of law is central to my campaign, including cracking down on violent crime, Medicaid fraud, elder fraud, and consumer scams that disproportionately harm seniors and drive up costs. I’ll go after bad actors while directing the Department of Aging to better educate seniors on fraud. I’ll also ensure the Department of Aging, Department of Commerce and other agencies work together, not in silos.
More on the candidates at vivekforohio.com and actonforgovernor.com.
Editor’s note: AARP partners with Chapter to help consumers make Medicare decisions. Vivek Ramaswamy no longer has an operational or board role in the company.
As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, AARP does not endorse candidates or make political donations.
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