Democrats Target Trumbull and Mahoning Counties in Ohio

David Pepper identifies the counties as critical bellwethers for the upcoming Ohio gubernatorial race.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Political Parties

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solitary water tower silhouette, evoking the industrial landscape and political gravity of Ohio. — Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Pepper is focusing campaign strategy on winning key Ohio counties, Trumbull and Mahoning, ahead of the election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe results in key counties are the best indicator of a state's election outcome?

Democratic lieutenant governor candidate David Pepper emphasized that winning Trumbull and Mahoning counties is essential for success in the Ohio gubernatorial race. The campaign aims to reclaim these areas, which previously supported Donald Trump in recent presidential elections.

Why it matters

The Democratic ticket of Amy Acton and David Pepper views these counties as key indicators for statewide results. For Acton, who grew up in Youngstown and Liberty, the region also holds significant personal importance.

Official election data shows that Trumbull County has consistently supported Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections. Mahoning County also backed Trump in both 2020 and 2024, marking a shift from its support for candidates like Herbert Hoover in 1928.

The players

David Pepper

He is the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Ohio.

Amy Acton

She is the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio.

Vivek Ramaswamy

He is the Republican candidate for governor of Ohio.

Donald Trump

He is the current President of the United States.

The details

David Pepper addressed voters at a Trumbull County Democratic Party dinner in Howland to outline the party strategy. Meanwhile, the Acton campaign hosted a private event at the WOSU studio on Wednesday to discuss their platform against Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Herbert Hoover won Mahoning County in 1928.
Donald Trump began winning Trumbull County in 2016.
Vivek Ramaswamy met with newspaper editors in October 2026.
Amy Acton met with newspaper editors on October 12, 2026.
Amy Acton held a private campaign event at WOSU on October 15, 2026.

Political Context

The shifting political loyalty of Mahoning County since the 1928 election of Herbert Hoover illustrates the region's move away from traditional party strongholds. This trend underscores the difficulty Democrats face as they attempt to reverse the electoral losses seen in recent cycles.

Residents in these counties can expect increased campaign activity as both parties focus their outreach efforts locally. These political shifts may influence future regional policy priorities and state-level resource allocation.

The takeaway

The race for the Ohio governor's office highlights the changing political landscape of the Rust Belt. Voters should monitor shifts in regional turnout to understand how these bellwether counties reflect broader state trends.