Why it matters: Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health, gained a grassroots following last year when she briefed Ohioans about the state of the coronavirus. Her celebrity could help in a Republican state, and against potential GOP rivals such as Rep. Jim Jordan…

There’s early enthusiasm among Democrats to nominate a woman and to push Rep. Tim Ryan to instead run against Gov. Mike DeWine.

Connie Schultz, whose husband, Democrat Sherrod Brown, is the other senator from Ohio, called Acton “smart and tough,” and tweeted Monday: “You can stop texting me only men’s names for the Democratic candidate. Ohio may have other plans.”