Election Night Victory Suit Connects Amy Acton to Columbus Retailer Pursuit
When Gov.-elect Amy Acton stepped up to the podium to deliver her victory speech, the images instantly flooded social media. Beneath the lights of the moment, the white suit she wore became one of the defining visual artifacts of Ohio’s 2026 election. For anyone scrolling through election night coverage wondering where the look came from, the answer rests right in the capital city.
The white suit was made by Pursuit, a custom clothing company based in the Short North Arts District, The Columbus Dispatch reported on Thursday, Nov. 5. Acton, the former Ohio Department of Health director, secured her win by defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy during the Nov. 3 general election, as documented by unofficial data from the Associated Press and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. That victory produced the widely photographed moment, putting a local business at the center of the state’s political spotlight.
From a Campus Classroom to a Governor-Elect’s Wardrobe
The journey from an academic exercise to a gubernatorial wardrobe began in 2011. Nate DeMars launched Pursuit in 2011 after developing the business concept as a class project during his final year as an MBA student at Ohio State University, as Columbus CEO reported. DeMars graduated in June 2011 and opened the storefront that October, later relocating from the campus area to 937 N. High St. in the Short North in 2015, according to The Lantern, Ohio State’s student newspaper.
Following the election, DeMars shared a video on social media showing Acton stepping up to the podium. History! Perhaps the most special suit we’ve made in our 15 years as our dear friend Dr. Amy Acton became Ohio’s first female governor-elect and we got to be in the middle of it all on this historic night. Such an honor. So proud of Dr. Amy & her amazing team,
DeMars wrote in the post, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch.
Pursuit Outfits Regional Sports Teams and Individual Clients
Operating out of its Short North storefront beneath the neighborhood’s signature arches, Pursuit specializes in custom suits, separates, tuxedos, shirts, overcoats, and denim by appointment. Customers can book consultations through the retailer’s website or by phone. Beyond individual clients, the company has built a client list across central Ohio sports and civic institutions.
According to its official website, Pursuit partners with several central Ohio names:
- The Ohio State Buckeyes’ offensive line
- The Columbus Crew
- The Columbus Fury women’s professional volleyball team
The election-night attention also highlights the company’s community philanthropic initiatives. On New Year’s Day in 2024, DeMars launched the [Good] Intentions program, designed to provide suits to individuals who cannot otherwise afford them, such as people experiencing incarceration or overcoming addiction, Columbus CEO reported in a Winter 2026 profile. DeMars noted that a donated suit carries profound symbolic and emotional value for recipients. The [Good] Intentions program donates suits to people in need by partnering with local nonprofits, including the Harmony Project. Data from pursuityourself.com indicates the business has committed to providing $50,000 worth of Pursuit apparel to support this mission in 2027.
