Armed Assailant Charged at Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Amy Acton at Fair

WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed assailant charged toward the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, Amy Acton, on Sunday during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair, injuring several people before he was stopped by troopers, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The patrol identified the assailant as Patrick Havas, 38, who forced his way through a crowd, knocking over multiple audience members as he moved toward Acton, the state’s former public health director. Havas was reported to have a taser and two pistols. The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office stated that two handguns and a set of brass knuckles were recovered after his arrest, noting that “no weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters.” Havas was taken to the county jail and booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault, with further details pending an investigation. Online court records did not yet list the case, and it was unclear whether Havas has an attorney as of Sunday night. Republican Governor Mike DeWine commented that the man “tried to forcefully push himself” toward Acton while she was speaking at the fair. He stated, “Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.” The attempted attack is part of a broader trend of political violence in the United States. The Ohio gubernatorial race is considered one of the most high-profile races this year, with campaigns entering the final six weeks before the November election. Acton is facing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has gained national recognition and significant fundraising support. Ramaswamy’s campaign condemned the incident, stating that candidates should be able to meet with voters without fear of threats or violence. Acton’s campaign also responded, emphasizing her commitment to standing against chaos and hate. Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted expressed his disturbance over the attempted attack and commended law enforcement for their quick response. The rise in political violence over the past decade includes several notable incidents, such as the 2017 shooting at a Republican congressional baseball team practice and the 2022 assault on Nancy Pelosi's husband. Federal political committees reportedly spent over $40 million on security-related expenses during the 2023-24 campaign cycle. Before her gubernatorial run, Acton led the Ohio Department of Health and became a prominent figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving multiple awards for her service.