Ohio – Ohio’s governor race is rapidly turning into a wider ideological battle after newly highlighted records connected Democrat Amy Acton’s former nonprofit role to millions of dollars in grants distributed to progressive advocacy groups, abortion-rights organizations, immigration nonprofits, climate activists, and Muslim advocacy organizations.
The records, which focus on Acton’s time at the Columbus Foundation in 2017 and 2018, are fueling growing criticism from conservatives as Republicans attempt to define the Democratic candidate ahead of what is expected to be one of the country’s most closely watched governor races.
Acton, a physician and former Ohio health director, worked for under two years as a grants manager at the Columbus Foundation before later becoming nationally known during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is now running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in a high-stakes race that could shape Ohio politics for years.
The Columbus Foundation itself is a major charitable organization that manages donor-advised funds and distributes grants to nonprofits and advocacy groups. Critics are not accusing Acton personally of authorizing each grant, but conservatives increasingly argue that the organizations funded during her time there reveal the broader ideological environment surrounding her political rise.
Among the most controversial recipients was Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. According to the records, the foundation administered $272,666 in grants to the abortion provider in 2017 and another $243,951 in 2018.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio also received significant support. Records show the foundation administered $77,915 to the ACLU of Ohio in 2017 before the number jumped to $1 million the following year. Nationally, the ACLU has defended immigration protections, transgender rights, and abortion access, saying “due process and equal protection” apply to every person “regardless of immigration status.” The organization also says it works “to strike at the roots of racial injustice” and “champions transgender people’s right to be themselves.”
Immigration, Climate, and CAIR Funding Draw Attention
Another organization now drawing scrutiny is Food & Water Watch, which reportedly received more than $8 million through grants administered by the Columbus Foundation in 2018 alone.
The activist group says it “fights for sustainable food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us” while opposing what it calls “corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else.” The organization also promotes what it describes as equitable treatment across race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.
Conservatives have also focused heavily on grants connected to diversity and immigration-related organizations.
The Harmony Project received over $572,000 in 2017 and nearly $600,000 in 2018. The group says it seeks “to build a more connected community by breaking down social barriers, bridging community divides, and empowering the voices of the people through arts, education, and volunteer service.”
Besa Community received grants totaling more than $150,000 across the two years. The organization says “diversity strengthens our community,” while describing its mission as bringing different groups together to create “innovation and change.”
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio also received funding and states its goal is “to empower people and organizations to embrace all forms of diversity and create communities where everyone belongs.”
But perhaps the most politically explosive grants involved CAIR Ohio.
IRS records cited in the reporting show CAIR Ohio received $50,000 in 2017 and another $75,000 in 2018 through grants administered by the foundation during Acton’s tenure there.
CAIR says it works “through legal representation, education, media relations, and advocacy” to “empower the American Muslim community and encourage participation in political and social activism.” The organization also says it advocates for “Muslims and others who have experienced discrimination, harassment, or hate crimes.”
However, the organization later became a major target of Republican governors in Texas and Florida.
In November 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations within Texas. Abbott’s office argued the designation would allow tougher enforcement actions and restrictions on property acquisitions tied to those organizations.
Abbott’s proclamation described CAIR as an Islamist group and referenced FBI statements claiming it was founded as a “front group” for “Hamas and its support network” in the United States.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis later issued a similar executive order. CAIR strongly denied the accusations and described the actions as “unconstitutional and defamatory.”
Abortion Politics Become Central Issue
Acton’s critics are also revisiting her record during the pandemic, especially on abortion-related issues.
The Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio reportedly “rescinded its endorsement of DeWine in November 2020 over his appointment of Acton,” according to the Coshocton Tribune. The coalition criticized then-Governor Mike DeWine for allowing abortion clinics to continue operating while many businesses and elective medical procedures were halted during COVID restrictions.
At the same time, abortion-rights organizations have openly embraced Acton’s campaign.
EMILY’s List endorsed her gubernatorial run in late 2025, with the group’s president Jessica Mackler saying it was “excited to endorse Amy and work with her to win this race.”
That same month, Acton publicly criticized Ohio lawmakers over legislation requiring students to watch anti-abortion videos in schools.
The records have now handed Republicans fresh ammunition as they try to paint Acton as aligned with progressive activism at a time when Ohio has trended increasingly conservative in statewide elections.
Meanwhile, Acton’s supporters argue the attacks distort the role of a charitable foundation that distributed grants across a broad range of nonprofit causes and services.
