An armed man lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton (D) during the Canfield Fair on Sunday, injuring several attendees before being subdued by law enforcement. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the annual fair in Canfield, a suburb of Youngstown, according to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office.
Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield, was taken into custody at the scene. The sheriff's office confirmed that two handguns and a set of brass knuckles were recovered, though Havas did not brandish any of these weapons during the confrontation.
Acton's campaign communications director, Addie Bullock, issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing gratitude to law enforcement. "While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people," Bullock said. "Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift, decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured."
Bullock added, "This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to this chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another."
Acton was not injured and remained at the fair to assist those who were hurt. According to Mahoning County Sheriff's spokesperson Gerry Ricciutti, Havas approached the Democratic Party tent where Acton was speaking, holding a cellphone to record the event. He then pushed through the crowd, prompting Acton's security detail and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to intervene. Two people fell to the ground during the scuffle.
The incident remains under investigation, and charges are expected to be filed after consultation with the county prosecutor. Ricciutti noted that Havas's motive is still being determined.
Acton, a former state health director who gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, is running for governor as a Democrat. Her Republican opponent is Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur who previously ran for president in 2024 and was initially slated to work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk before entering the Ohio gubernatorial race. The race has drawn national attention, with trust in government at historic lows fueling outsider campaigns.
Violence at political events has become a growing concern, and this attack underscores the heightened tensions. Recent incidents, such as a threat made against a Michigan Senate candidate, highlight the volatile atmosphere. Meanwhile, candidates across the country are grappling with security challenges, as seen in swing state races where policy debates have turned confrontational.
Acton's campaign has not indicated any change in her public schedule, and she remains committed to engaging with voters despite the attack. The sheriff's office has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
