Amy Acton voted winner in Clash of Columbus competition

The people of central Ohio have spoken, and what began as a competition between 64 different people, places and events — and even some bison — over what helped get us through the pandemic, now has a grand champion: Dr. Amy Acton. 

Based on six rounds of public voting, the former Ohio Department of Health director, who became a household name last year during her press conferences with Gov. Mike DeWine, was crowned the victor of The Dispatch contest after defeating the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in the final round.

Earlier in the contest, she defeated Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, the bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, country music band Rascal Flatts and DeWine.

The competition — a fun, alternative form of March Madness — kicked off March 16 and concluded Monday night. It featured four brackets: COVID-era characters (such as Acton), pandemic perks, 2020 takeout, and leisure lockdown.

Acton, who rose to prominence early during the pandemic but whose decisions also were controversial to some, now is considering a run for U.S. Senate.

Although there could only be one winner in the Clash of Columbus, the best news is that we in central Ohio had so many great options to help get us through the past year.

@ReadRyanSmith

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