An armed man allegedly forced his way through a crowd toward Ohios Democratic gubernatorial nominee at a county fair, sending fairgoers sprawling before law enforcement intervened.
According to the Daily Caller, the suspect, 38-year-old Patrick Havas, is expected to be charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct following the disturbance at the Canfield Fair. Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene told WFMJ that two elderly individuals were knocked to the ground as Havas allegedly pushed through a crowd gathered near the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent around 2:45 p.m., where former state health director Amy Acton was appearing.
Deputies later recovered two handguns and a pair of brass knuckles from Havas after he was taken into custody, though authorities say none of the weapons were drawn or removed from their holsters during the incident. Members of Actons security detail, comprised of Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, intercepted Havas before Canfield Fair Police arrested him and transported him to the Mahoning County Jail.
Acton was not physically harmed in the confrontation and left the scene under protection. While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people, campaign Communications Director Addie Bullock said in a statement posted on X, adding, This kind of violence has no place in Ohio.
Actons Republican opponent swiftly denounced the episode, underscoring that political differences must not spill over into physical aggression. Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope that no one was hurt, said Connie Luck, communications director for the Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob McColley for Ohio campaign, in a statement.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, whose office both campaigns are seeking to occupy, wrote on X that he had spoken with Acton and confirmed she was uninjured and in good condition. His response reflected a broader concern that rising tensions in national politics are now too often manifesting in threats and disruptions at local events.
Ramaswamy, a staunch advocate of limited government and free-market reforms who has posted record fundraising numbers in the race, faces Acton with roughly six weeks remaining before Novembers election. Sheriffs detectives continue to investigate the incident, while the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reviewing whether the confrontation constituted a targeted threat, WFMJ reported.
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