COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton is considering a run to challenge for U.S. Senator Rob Portman’s seat, Sen. Sherrod Brown told Spectrum Thursday during a virtual media availability.

Brown said he has spoken with Acton and other prospective candidates this week as they consider running for U.S. Senate in 2022. 

“There is some interest among all of them, but some doesn’t mean that they’re likely to run. We’ll see," he said. "They didn’t call me to find out how Franklin and Walter, my dogs, are doing. I’ll just put it that way."

If she decides to run, Acton would enter among the frontrunners after her rise to prominence in the spring at the onset of the pandemic. 

For many Ohioans, Acton had been the calm, welcoming voice during a frightening time as the virus began to spread in Ohio. She stood by Gov. Mike DeWine’s side during what were once daily coronavirus briefings. 

While DeWine talked about the changes happening in the state, Acton looked into the camera and encouraged Ohioans to “don their capes,'' referring to masks, in order to save lives. She reasserted that the state was adhering to science, and reminded everyone at home that they were not alone in the challenges they were facing. 

Eventually, she garnered national attention, appearing in articles nationwide, even in the New York Times in a piece called, “What Makes a Great Leader?”

​Her most ardent supporters still sport “Dr. Amy Acton Fan Club” yard signs in their front yards, and her Facebook fan page is still going strong. 

While many Ohioans took her messages in stride, others didn’t agree with the orders put out by her, Gov. Mike DeWine, and the Ohio Department of Health. 

Shortly after the first few cases were confirmed and the virus began to spread, universities were encouraged to send students home mid-way through the semester, and the state issued a stay-at-home order, encouraging essential travel only. 

In May, protesters showed up to Acton’s home in Bexley, some with guns, to show their dismay with the new orders. 

At the time, Portman condemned the protesters.

“All Americans have the right to free speech, and I would never stand in the way of that. But I do think it’s over the line to be protesting at Amy Acton’s home,” said Portman. 

DeWine addressed the protesterss at a briefing, saying, “the buck stops with me.” Shortly after,  DeWine announced on June 11 Acton would be moving on from the position. 

She said she realized staying in the role was no longer “sustainable” and said she had been contemplating the decision for months before she stepped down. 

After stepping down from her role with the Ohio Department of Health, Acton in August became the director of Kind Columbus, part of the Columbus Foundation, where she formerly worked as grants director.

Acton has largely stayed out of the spotlight, and it remains unclear exactly why she stepped down and whether the protests at her home were a factor. 

“Her biggest hurdle is getting people to understand she didn’t get out (at ODH) because of the threats,” a source close to the decision told Cleveland.com. “She got out because of integrity.”

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-3), and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley are among the other Democrats considering running, Spectrum confirms.

On Monday, Portman said he would not seek reelection in 2022 in a surprising announcement for the prominent senator.

“I don’t think any Senate office has been more successful in getting things done, but honestly, it has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy, and that has contributed to my decision,” Portman said.

Ohio Republicans are hoping to keep the Senate seat in Republican hands. Among the state’s Republicans currently serving in the U.S. House, several said in statements on Monday that they are considering running for Portman’s seat: Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15); Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6); Rep. Mike Turner (OH-10); Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14); Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-2).

Acton grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, studied for her medical degree at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, and holds a master's in public health from Ohio State University, where she later served as assistant professor-practice in the College of Public Health.