An armed man charged toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, knocking over several people before state troopers stopped him and drawing bipartisan condemnation, including from Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign.
Suspect Arrested After Charging Toward Acton
The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the suspect as 38-year-old Patrick Havas and said he carried a Taser and two pistols. The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office also recovered brass knuckles and said “no weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters.” Havas was booked on disorderly conduct and two assault charges. Acton was unharmed.
“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,” Ramaswamy’s campaign said. “What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics.” Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, entered the Ohio race with Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Acton’s campaign, in a public statement, said the suspect “lunged” at her and injured multiple people. “This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” spokesperson Addie Bullock said, adding that Acton would stand against the “chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.”
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson said on X that Havas was arrested “with multiple weapons, after knocking volunteers to the ground.”
Ohio Leaders Condemn Threats And Violence
Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said, “Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.”
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) wrote on X that he and his wife were “disturbed by the attempted attack,” adding, “There is no place for this kind of behavior, and it must never be tolerated.”
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson said “political violence of any kind has no place in Ohio or our nation” and praised the Highway Patrol’s “quick action.”
Political Security Concerns Grow Across Nation
The incident adds to concerns over political security. Recent attacks have included the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and gunfire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner earlier this year.
Acton, Ohio’s former health director, became a national figure during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced protests over public-health restrictions.
Photo courtesy: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
