Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, was targeted in an attack during a campaign appearance at the Canfield fair on Sunday, according to campaign officials. A suspect identified as Patrick Havas lunged at Acton and knocked down attendees before being apprehended at the scene.
According to Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, Havas knocked down two older adults during the incident. Authorities discovered weapons on the suspect, as stated by Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairperson Chris Anderson. Greene indicated that Havas is expected to face charges of assault and disorderly conduct. While Acton was not physically harmed, campaign officials reported that multiple people sustained injuries in the altercation.
Acton’s campaign issued a statement through communications director Addie Bullock expressing gratitude for law enforcement’s response and indicating that the candidate’s focus remains on opposing “chaos, hate and vitriol.” Anderson characterized the incident as “reprehensible” and called for condemnation from “leaders on all sides of the aisle.”
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Acton’s general election opponent, issued a statement through his communications director Connie Luck describing the incident as “completely unacceptable” and noting that candidates should be able to meet voters without threats or violence. Michigan Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed also issued a statement condemning political violence and calling for peaceful resolution of political differences.
Ramaswamy has generated substantial fundraising for his campaign and is using advertising and rallies to criticize Acton, the state’s former public health director, ahead of the November election.
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