I've followed you for awhile and was excited to see you running on the Democratic ticket in Ohio. However, I was very troubled to see Dr Acton recently throw trans kids under the bus in her campaign, calling transgender girls "boys" and declaring that she would enforce Ohio's sports ban. She said, "As a doctor, public servant, and a mom, I will always stand up for fairness and protect kids' health and safety." Is Dr Acton not aware of the devastating statistics regarding trans youth suicide rates and overall mental health? Why does she feel one of the most marginalized communities is expendable in her campaign to lead Ohio? Curious where you stand on this issue, Mr Pepper, and if you'd be willing to push Dr Acton, if elected, to stand up for ALL youth?
Thank you for standing up for trans people. It was heartbreaking to hear a medical doctor, who portrays herself as compassionate and science-informed, endorse MAGA's toxic bile directed at trans youth. By expressing support for HB 68, which she did in the Toledo Blade article, she stands on the other side of more than 30 medical organizations who have testified that gender-affirming care for trans youth is life-saving medicine. It's frankly embarrassing that Mike DeWine is a better trans ally than our Democratic nominee. He vetoed said bill and said that healthcare decisions should be between families and their physicians. Meanwhile, Acton misgendered us, expressed support for discriminating against us, and implied that we are inherently dangerous. Yikes.
And, quite frankly, as a doctor, she should know better about the latest research & science regarding gender. If she did, she wouldn't have said what she said.
I appreciate you sharing the link. However, it seems like she's placating folks by saying something boiler-plate and palatable in response to the backlash she received. I'd encourage folks to watch what she DOES not simply what she SAYS to win votes. And the fact the Ohio Dem Party shut down dissent is not a good look either.
Thank you for correcting these lies & I hope someday political ads will be illegal especially since they are apparently not held to any standards of truth or fact checking- why are these allowed? Oh yes tv stations make big money off of them I would assume- greed again.
Prior to Acton's bigoted remarks in the Toledo Blade, I was excited about her as a candidate. I intended to vote for her, donate, text bank, and canvass because she led our state through a novel deadly pandemic and stood by the science, in spite of her critics. After misgendering trans youth, expressing support for a law that bans them from receiving gender-affirming healthcare, and portraying trans people as inherently dangerous, I was hopeful that Acton's campaign would at least be willing to listen to the people she publicly harmed. I was aware that your campaign had a meeting booked for June 28 with both the Ohio Democratic Party Progressive and Pride Caucuses about her discriminatory position. I learned yesterday that neither you nor Acton attended that meeting, and trans rights activists were banned from attending entirely.
Trans Ohioans are looking at other red states criminalize our healthcare. Dr. Acton has used her medical authority to lend legitimacy to MAGA's hateful and unscientific claims about trans people. At this point, I do not know if Acton would veto a bill that banned people like me (trans adults) from receiving healthcare. She has publicly harmed my community, and refuses to take any accountability for her harmful words. Why should Ohioans believe that you and Dr. Acton are willing to stand up for any vulnerable people, when you are so willing to throw one of our most marginalized communities under the bus? Can we expect you to also throw immigrants under the bus, and let ICE continue to ravage our communities?
It would be interesting to know where David Pepper stands on where transgender girls stand in playing boys sports in Ohio. Is he toeing his party line here?
And for even MORE regarding Swampi's lack of qualifications, check out a Substack called "The Rooster". https://www.rooster.info/. He also dives into the Naziism of the Ohio Republican Party. But be advised...he doesn't hold back on shady Democrats, either!
I've followed you for awhile and was excited to see you running on the Democratic ticket in Ohio. However, I was very troubled to see Dr Acton recently throw trans kids under the bus in her campaign, calling transgender girls "boys" and declaring that she would enforce Ohio's sports ban. She said, "As a doctor, public servant, and a mom, I will always stand up for fairness and protect kids' health and safety." Is Dr Acton not aware of the devastating statistics regarding trans youth suicide rates and overall mental health? Why does she feel one of the most marginalized communities is expendable in her campaign to lead Ohio? Curious where you stand on this issue, Mr Pepper, and if you'd be willing to push Dr Acton, if elected, to stand up for ALL youth?
The revelation felt like a gut punch. I’ve always respected David and just stunned at the development. Please, David, say something to us.
Thank you for standing up for trans people. It was heartbreaking to hear a medical doctor, who portrays herself as compassionate and science-informed, endorse MAGA's toxic bile directed at trans youth. By expressing support for HB 68, which she did in the Toledo Blade article, she stands on the other side of more than 30 medical organizations who have testified that gender-affirming care for trans youth is life-saving medicine. It's frankly embarrassing that Mike DeWine is a better trans ally than our Democratic nominee. He vetoed said bill and said that healthcare decisions should be between families and their physicians. Meanwhile, Acton misgendered us, expressed support for discriminating against us, and implied that we are inherently dangerous. Yikes.
Please post link to sources for this.
Here is the original post:
https://substack.com/@erininthemorn/note/p-207298543?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=ckzcu
If you click on the link embedded in this post, "asked for her thoughts' it will take you to The Toledo Blade
Yeah I know how to find the original source, I've only been working on campaigns for 50 years.
Suggest you post this:
https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/07/16/amy-acton-adds-lgbtq-equality-language-to-campaign-platform/
Erin in the Morning here on Substack is a trusted inependent journalist. Here is her follow-up on this topic with the fallout from the Ohio Dem Party:https://erininthemorn.substack.com/p/ohio-dem-party-has-banned-criticism?r=ckzcu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/07/16/amy-acton-adds-lgbtq-equality-language-to-campaign-platform/
https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/07/16/amy-acton-adds-lgbtq-equality-language-to-campaign-platform/
And, quite frankly, as a doctor, she should know better about the latest research & science regarding gender. If she did, she wouldn't have said what she said.
I appreciate you sharing the link. However, it seems like she's placating folks by saying something boiler-plate and palatable in response to the backlash she received. I'd encourage folks to watch what she DOES not simply what she SAYS to win votes. And the fact the Ohio Dem Party shut down dissent is not a good look either.
Thank you for correcting these lies & I hope someday political ads will be illegal especially since they are apparently not held to any standards of truth or fact checking- why are these allowed? Oh yes tv stations make big money off of them I would assume- greed again.
Prior to Acton's bigoted remarks in the Toledo Blade, I was excited about her as a candidate. I intended to vote for her, donate, text bank, and canvass because she led our state through a novel deadly pandemic and stood by the science, in spite of her critics. After misgendering trans youth, expressing support for a law that bans them from receiving gender-affirming healthcare, and portraying trans people as inherently dangerous, I was hopeful that Acton's campaign would at least be willing to listen to the people she publicly harmed. I was aware that your campaign had a meeting booked for June 28 with both the Ohio Democratic Party Progressive and Pride Caucuses about her discriminatory position. I learned yesterday that neither you nor Acton attended that meeting, and trans rights activists were banned from attending entirely.
Trans Ohioans are looking at other red states criminalize our healthcare. Dr. Acton has used her medical authority to lend legitimacy to MAGA's hateful and unscientific claims about trans people. At this point, I do not know if Acton would veto a bill that banned people like me (trans adults) from receiving healthcare. She has publicly harmed my community, and refuses to take any accountability for her harmful words. Why should Ohioans believe that you and Dr. Acton are willing to stand up for any vulnerable people, when you are so willing to throw one of our most marginalized communities under the bus? Can we expect you to also throw immigrants under the bus, and let ICE continue to ravage our communities?
It would be interesting to know where David Pepper stands on where transgender girls stand in playing boys sports in Ohio. Is he toeing his party line here?
Now read this from your own publication July 16th, and please post a prominent correction on this, but I won't hold my breath.
https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2026/07/16/amy-acton-adds-lgbtq-equality-language-to-campaign-platform/.
Sending to Ohio family and friends
And for even MORE regarding Swampi's lack of qualifications, check out a Substack called "The Rooster". https://www.rooster.info/. He also dives into the Naziism of the Ohio Republican Party. But be advised...he doesn't hold back on shady Democrats, either!
Well written response. Can you get it in the Cincinnati Enquirer or what’s left of the Community Press?