Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton recounts violent incident at county fair
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Acton said she will keep campaigning after an armed man attempted to approach her at the Canfield Fair, where he was arrested with weapons and charged with assault.
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton told a Labor Day parade crowd in Cleveland that she will continue her campaign despite a "rough day" at the Canfield Fair the previous Sunday. She said she feels compelled to fight for the issues she supports.
According to Mahoning County sheriff and Ohio State Highway Patrol officials, a 38-year-old man, identified as Patrick Havas, pushed through a crowd near the Democratic Party tent, knocked several fairgoers to the ground and attempted to reach Acton. The suspect was arrested after officers recovered two handguns, brass knuckles and a Taser. He faces charges of disorderly conduct and assault, with formal charges expected soon.
Witnesses said Acton, a former state health director, provided first aid to injured attendees before leaving the scene. Former state representative John Boccieri described the suspect as aggressively moving toward Acton and noted that security personnel intervened.
Acton, who served as Ohio’s health director during the early COVID-19 response, is running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the November election. A spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign said candidates should be able to meet voters without fear of violence and condemned the incident.
The Canfield Fair, marking its 180th year, has historically hosted political events in the Youngstown area. Law-enforcement officials have not commented on the suspect’s motive.