An armed man was charged after lunging at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair near Youngstown on Sunday, injuring several bystanders. Acton was not hurt.
The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield, who authorities say lunged at Acton while she was speaking at a Mahoning County Democratic Party booth around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said Havas knocked over multiple people at the fair while trying to reach Acton and was found carrying a taser and two pistols; the sheriff’s office separately said he was also carrying brass knuckles.
What Happened
Havas was taken into custody and is being held at the Mahoning County Jail, charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to the highway patrol. It was not immediately clear whether he had retained legal representation. Acton, a physician and Ohio’s former public health director, remained on-site afterward to help attend to one of the injured people, according to a photo shared with NBC News.
Acton’s campaign said in a statement that she and her running mate were “grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement” and were praying for the recovery of those injured.
Latest Developments
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican who cannot seek reelection because of term limits, condemned the attack, saying he and his wife were thankful Acton was not hurt and sent their thoughts to those who were injured. Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who previously served as lieutenant governor alongside DeWine and Acton, wrote on social media that he was “disturbed by the attempted attack” and grateful for law enforcement’s quick response.
A spokesperson for Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, also condemned the incident. “Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,” said Connie Luck, communications director for the Ramaswamy campaign, adding that what happened had no place in politics.
Key Facts
- The incident occurred Sunday around 2:30 p.m. at the Canfield Fair near Youngstown, Ohio.
- Suspect Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
- Authorities said Havas was carrying a taser and two pistols; the sheriff’s office also cited brass knuckles.
- Amy Acton was not injured; her campaign said multiple bystanders were hurt.
- Acton, the Democratic nominee, is locked in a close November race against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
Reactions
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson, whose group hosted Acton’s visit, called the incident “reprehensible” and said it should be condemned by leaders across the political spectrum. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also issued a statement denouncing the attack. Investigators with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office said they were still working to determine what led to the incident.
Background
Acton is a physician who served as director of the Ohio Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, appearing alongside then-Governor DeWine during the state’s daily briefings in 2020. She has faced criticism from Republicans over that role, though DeWine has said the pandemic decisions were his to make. Acton and Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate with backing from President Trump, are competing in one of the most closely watched governor’s races in the country, with recent polling from Emerson College showing the race essentially tied ahead of the November election.
Why It Matters
The attack adds to a string of incidents of political violence and threats against candidates and elected officials in the United States in recent years, and comes as both parties are intensifying campaigning ahead of a tightly contested race. The bipartisan condemnation from DeWine, Husted and Ramaswamy’s campaign reflects a shared concern about violence at political events, even as the underlying investigation into the suspect’s motive remains ongoing.
What Happens Next
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation into the incident is continuing, and it remains unclear whether Havas has retained an attorney or what motivated the confrontation. The Ohio governor’s race is expected to remain closely fought through Election Day in November.
Sources: Reuters, NBC News, NBC Boston, Fox19, Local 12 (WKRC).
