David Pepper Campaigns in Marietta on Housing and Jobs
The lieutenant governor candidate visited Marietta to outline economic and public health policies ahead of the upcoming election.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Democratic lieutenant governor candidate David Pepper visited Marietta on Monday to discuss affordable housing, job development, and the opioid crisis. The candidate, who is running alongside former Ohio health director Amy Acton, addressed concerns regarding youth emigration from smaller communities.
Why it matters
The campaign visit aims to address frustrations among residents who feel overlooked by officials in Columbus. By focusing on regional economic challenges and rural healthcare, the campaign seeks to provide voters with policy alternatives for Appalachian Ohio.
Approximately 20 people attended the event held at the Gazebo on Ohio Street. This appearance occurs just 8 days before the general election scheduled for November 3.
The players
David Pepper
He is a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor running on a platform emphasizing affordable housing and regional economic support.
Amy Acton
She is the Democratic candidate for governor and former Ohio health director who previously negotiated a major opioid settlement.
The details
Pepper advocated for first-time homeownership and rental affordability while criticizing the historical exploitation of Appalachian Ohio by resource extraction firms. He fielded direct questions from residents about economic development and strategies to combat the local opioid epidemic.
Timeline
The campaign event occurred at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Election Day is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.
Health Landscape
The campaign platform aims to build upon the framework established by the Ohio opioid settlement by further expanding mental health support in rural areas. This approach marks a departure from traditional urban-centric health strategies by prioritizing localized treatment infrastructure.
Residents may see potential changes in the availability of regional mental health resources if the proposed administrative policies are implemented. These efforts are designed to directly address the ongoing opioid crisis affecting families throughout Washington County.
The takeaway
Voters in smaller Ohio communities are increasingly weighing candidates based on their specific commitments to local economic and health infrastructure. Residents can evaluate these proposals by comparing the candidates' stated plans for housing and mental health against current regional conditions.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address the crisis in the Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtap.
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