Marietta, Ohio — Standing beside the Ohio River in a county that votes reliably Republican, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Amy Acton on Thursday pledged to support a local moratorium aimed at limiting the spread of liquid fracking waste into the region’s underground layers and drinking supplies.
At a gathering in downtown Marietta, Acton told residents she would honor a resolution approved by the GOP-controlled city council that places a three-year pause on permitting new injection wells for oil-and-gas wastewater within the county. Local officials and water authorities say some of the existing injection activity has been linked to leaks deep underground, sparking fears about the safety of aquifers that supply private wells and municipal systems.
"We have a chance to prevent the worst from happening," Acton said.
Local politics and cross-party pressure
The visit highlighted an unusual alliance in Washington County: a Democratic candidate appealing to voters in an area that President Donald Trump carried by wide margins in 2024, and drawing public criticism of the industry from a locally elected Republican. Susan Vessels, president of the Marietta city council and a Republican, has publicly clashed with state and county leaders she says have not acted quickly enough to address injections of highly saline fracking brine.
Vessels and other local officials have pointed to state Department of Natural Resources findings that allege some wells have leaked underground. The council’s resolution, a local step to pause new permits, reflects growing concern among riverfront communities that injections are occurring just miles from aquifers residents depend on.
Campaign context in Republican territory
Acton’s stop in Marietta was part of a multiday swing through Appalachian Ohio as she tries to gain traction in rural counties that once were competitive for Democrats due to their industrial and union roots. The trip underscored the challenge for her campaign: persuading voters in areas that trended heavily Republican in recent elections.
According to her campaign schedule, Acton visited three counties this week. The news release noted that President Trump won all three by at least 40 points in 2024; in one of those, Gallia County, his margin was cited at 59 points. Acton is the Democratic nominee in the November gubernatorial contest against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has expressed support for the oil and gas industry.
| County | Local action / note |
|---|---|
| Washington County | City council adopted a three-year moratorium on new injection well permits |
| Gallia County | Trump won by about 59 points in 2024 |
Environmental stakes and public concerns
Local water authorities and some politicians say the combination of high-pressure injection and the geologic conditions in parts of southeast Ohio poses a genuine risk of contamination. The injection process disposes of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, by sending millions of gallons underground. When those fluids migrate or escape, the consequences for private wells and public water systems can be serious.
Acton framed the moratorium as a precaution and a bridge to broader state-level action if elected. Her campaign argues that using local controls to slow permitting gives regulators time to investigate alleged leaks and protect water sources while state leaders consider long-term policies.
Political response and unanswered questions
A spokesperson for the Acton campaign, Evan Machan, did not directly address the merits of the injection well issue in a statement but instead noted the campaign’s criticism of Acton’s opponent and the campaign’s stance on debate participation. The campaign has focused messaging both on environmental safeguards and on voter concerns about local health and property impacts.
For residents of Marietta and neighboring communities, the immediate questions are practical: whether existing wells will be inspected more frequently, whether state regulators will impose new controls, and what protections will be offered to households reliant on private wells. Local officials have said they expect continued pressure on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to address the alleged leaks.
- Local council in Washington County approved a three-year delay on new injection well permits.
- Acton is using local environmental concerns as part of a strategy to reach voters in Republican-leaning Appalachian counties.
- State agencies have been accused by local leaders of insufficient action amid allegations of underground leaks.
As Ohio heads into a closely watched statewide election season, the fracking-waste debate in river communities like Marietta adds a local, tangible dimension to broader contests over energy policy, regulation and public health.
Damon Carver, State Correspondent, WE NEWS
