An armed man lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during her campaign visit to the Canfield Fair on Sunday, September 6, knocking volunteers to the ground and injuring multiple attendees before law enforcement arrested him. Acton and her husband were unharmed.
The Incident at the Canfield Fair
The confrontation unfolded around 2:45 p.m. at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent during the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas, reportedly entered the tent and began pushing people out of the way to reach the front of the crowd.
According to local officials, Havas was holding a phone or camera while carrying two firearms on his person. As he forced his way toward the candidate, several campaign volunteers and older adults were knocked to the ground. Members of Acton’s security team and Canfield Fair Police intervened quickly, detaining the suspect.
“While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people. Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured. This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another,”
Addie Bullock, Communications Director for the Acton Campaign
Arrest and Pending Charges
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene confirmed that Havas was taken into custody and transported to the Mahoning County Jail. Authorities stated that he is expected to face two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Christopher Anderson condemned the episode through a statement shared on social media, emphasizing that the local party abhors political violence in all forms
. Anderson noted that volunteers were knocked to the ground as the suspect lunged.
Bipartisan Condemnation From Ohio Officials
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Fran DeWine spoke with Acton by phone following the incident to check on her well-being.
“We are grateful for the quick work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement on the scene at the Canfield Fair today when a man tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democrat booth.”
Gov. Mike DeWine
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also released a statement, asserting that the attempted violence directed at Dr. Acton is unacceptable — political violence of any kind has no place in Ohio or our nation
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Meanwhile, the campaign of Vivek Ramaswamy, Acton’s Republican opponent in the gubernatorial race, issued a strong statement condemning the attack. Connie Luck, communications director for Vivek for Ohio, emphasized that candidates must be able to interact with voters safely.
“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence.”
Connie Luck, Communications Director for Vivek for Ohio
Political Stakes in the Governor’s Race
The confrontation occurs against the backdrop of a gubernatorial contest. Acton, a Democrat and former state health director under Governor DeWine, gained public recognition during her televised appearances in 2019 and 2020 leading the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response. Her public prominence and robust early fundraising have positioned Democrats with hope of winning back the governor’s office for the first time since 2006.
However, that same pandemic tenure also made her a target of people upset about the policies, including some armed protesters showing up outside her home. Her opponent, Ramaswamy, brings national name recognition, technology industry connections, and campaign resources to the race to succeed Governor DeWine.
Law Enforcement Investigation Underway
With Havas held at the Mahoning County Jail, local police departments and state troopers are continuing their inquiry. The Mahoning County Democratic Party referred all questions to law enforcement as the investigation is ongoing.
