Democrat Amy Acton is running unopposed in her party’s primary for Ohio governor, but she'll face some steep challenges in the November general election. The physician's most formidable obstacle may be the COVID-19 pandemic. Acton was Ohio’s public health director when the coronavirus hit the United States in early 2020. More than six years later, the orders that Acton signed at the behest of the state’s Republican governor to battle the virus have become a central line of criticism from Republicans. Those orders included closing schools, shuttering businesses, restricting sporting events and even suspending voting during the 2020 primary election.

A former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci has been indicted on federal charges alleging he conspired to hide his communications related to COVID-19 research as the pandemic unfolded. The Justice Department on Tuesday accused 78-year-old Dr. David Morens of using a private email to intentionally circumvent public record laws while employed at the National Institutes of Health. It accuses him of evading transparency laws while having discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant. Morens faces charges of conspiracy against the United States as well as destruction and concealment of records and aiding and abetting. If convicted, he could face decades in prison. An attorney for Morens declined to comment.