More than 4,100 applications have poured into Ohio Gov.-elect Amy Acton’s transition team during the first week of its online recruitment effort, as the incoming Democratic administration begins assembling the staff that will help lead state government for the next four years.
The Acton-Pepper transition confirmed the figure to TiffinOhio.net on Friday, Nov. 13, following an NBC4 report earlier in the day. The applications were submitted through a website launched Nov. 5, two days after Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio’s gubernatorial election.
The transition described applicants as including younger Ohioans and residents from across the state. It has not provided a county-by-county breakdown, the number of distinct applicants or the number of positions it expects to fill.
Acton, Ohio’s former health director, defeated Ramaswamy with approximately 52.3% of the vote to his 44.4%, according to unofficial election results. She will become Ohio’s first woman elected governor and the first Democrat to hold the office since Ted Strickland left office in January 2011.
Transition leadership takes shape
The influx of applications comes as Acton and Lt. Gov.-elect David Pepper prepare for the Jan. 11, 2027, inauguration, when their administration will replace outgoing Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s government.
John Haseley, who previously served as chief of staff to Strickland in the governor’s office and in Congress, is leading the transition. Haseley was also a senior adviser to Acton’s gubernatorial campaign.
On Wednesday, Acton announced three transition co-chairs responsible for different parts of the process. Elisabeth Hire, a former senior adviser and chief of staff for Acton’s campaign who previously worked for then-Vice President Joe Biden, will oversee operations. Gale King, a retired Nationwide executive, will lead talent recruitment, while Janetta King, a former deputy chief of staff to Strickland, will oversee policy.
Acton also announced a 12-member Board of Advisors on Thursday, bringing together elected officials, labor leaders, policy specialists and business executives to help guide the transition.
The incoming administration will be responsible for overseeing agencies that administer billions of dollars in state spending, including programs affecting public education, transportation, public safety, healthcare and local governments throughout Ohio.
Applications remain open statewide
Ohioans interested in working for the incoming administration can continue submitting resumes through the transition’s online application portal.
Applicants can indicate interest in management, communications, finance, legal affairs, government operations, policy, technology and other fields. They can also select specific state departments, including education, health, transportation, natural resources, public safety and economic development.
The application requests a resume, contact information, current city and state of residence, preferred areas of work and a statement explaining the applicant’s interest in public service. The website also allows residents to submit policy ideas directly to the transition team.
Acton’s transition is working toward the priorities she emphasized during her campaign, including lowering household costs, increasing state support for public schools and addressing corruption in state government.
The transition has not announced a timetable for reviewing the more than 4,100 applications or making appointments. Recruitment remains open as Acton prepares to take office in January.
