Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton visits striking JFS workers on Elyria picket line

ELYRIA — Dr. Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor in 2026, made a special delivery of pizza to striking Job and Family Services workers on the picket lines in front of the Lorain County Administration Building in downtown Elyria on Tuesday. She then spent a chilly half hour or so shaking hands up and down the picket line, talking to the approximately 50 workers and supporters, posing for photos with them and signing autographs. Members of United Auto Workers Local 2192 mark two weeks on the picket lines today (Wednesday). They are seeking higher wages, staff retention bonuses and relief from higher health care premiums, among other issues, but have yet to reach an agreement with county officials. A Youngstown native and medical doctor who has received the UAW's endorsement and whose husband is union teacher, Acton said she was "honored" to meet with the striking workers and have their support. "Folks are asking for not a lot here," she said. "They're really asking to be able to afford what we all are trying to afford in our daily lives right now. "People in this state are struggling. They're doing everything right, they're working harder than they ever have, but there's no more breathing room because of the cost of everyday life." Acton said she's running for governor because "I can't look the other way while bad actors and special interests keep taking the people of this state backward." A guest at the 2025 Lorain County Labor Day picnic in Lorain, Acton said she appreciates the hard work union workers do. "Ohio has the hardest workers I know," she said. "Unions give everybody a path to the middle class. They give us a chance. Cars passing through downtown Elyria honked their horns, and strikers cheered and waved their "UAW on strike" signs. JFS workers "would like a little bit higher paying job. They love their jobs. ... Let's do right by them," Acton said. Acton has been visiting pickets across the state for months. After leaving Lorain County's Labor Day celebration in August, she drove straight to Cincinnati to meet with some of the 600 UAW workers on strike there against G.E. Aerospace. That strike lasted three weeks before the parties agreed on a new contract. Acton's likely opponent in November is Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. UAW Local 2192 JFS chairperson Gina Jones said it was "amazing" to have Acton's support on the picket lines. "It was amazing to have her out here, have her support, supporting the unions and blue collar workers," said Jones, who got Acton to autograph her "UAW on strike" sign. The message read: "May we act on love, not hate — Amy Acton." Graig Bansek, Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 52, and Elyria City Councilman Brad Armstrong, I-5th Ward, also joined the striking workers for Acton's visit. Bansek is facing fellow Democrat Mike Baker in the May primary, and the winner of that contest will face state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, in November. Several members of UAW Local 1250, representing workers at Engine Plant 1 in Brook Park, who showed up to work the picket lines in solidarity on Tuesday. Picket lines will continue outside the County Administrating Building and JFS office on North Ridge Road in Elyria Township from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Jones said. Lorain County officials have given the JFS union a "last, best and final" offer. The two sides have not been back to the negotiating table since the strike began, county and union officials said. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.