Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton was uninjured Sunday afternoon when an armed man pushed through a crowd and lunged toward her during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair, according to local law enforcement officials. The suspect, 38-year-old Patrick Havas, was taken into custody by fair police following a physical altercation that knocked two people to the ground.
The Incident at the Canfield Fair
The confrontation occurred on September 6, 2026, while Acton was speaking to a crowd gathered at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent on the Canfield Fairgrounds near Youngstown, according to Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene. Havas pushed his way through the audience while using his mobile phone to record the candidate.
Acton’s security detail, consisting of Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, intercepted Havas as he approached the front of the tent, Sheriff Greene stated. During the intervention, two individuals were knocked to the ground. Canfield Fair police officers then stepped in and detained the suspect.
Law enforcement recovered two handguns and a set of brass knuckles from Havas following the arrest. Investigators confirmed that no weapons were brandished or removed from their holsters during the incident. Records from the Mahoning County Jail show that Havas was booked and charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct, according to reporting by The Columbus Dispatch.
Immediate Reactions from Officials and Campaigns
Witnesses and political figures condemned the disruption. Former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House who witnessed the event, told the Akron Beacon Journal that the security detail acted quickly to restrain the individual before he could reach the candidate. Boccieri added that Acton, a physician, immediately assisted in treating individuals who had been pushed to the ground.
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Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign, released a statement expressing gratitude for law enforcement. “Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured. This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” Bullock said, referencing Acton’s husband.
Outgoing Republican Governor Mike DeWine confirmed that he spoke with Acton by phone on Sunday afternoon. “Fran and I are thankful Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured,” Governor DeWine posted to X. Acton is running in a closely contested November election to succeed DeWine, facing Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.
Connie Luck, communications director for the Ramaswamy campaign, issued a statement condemning the confrontation. “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,” Luck said.
Investigation and Next Steps
Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office detectives are continuing their investigation into the Canfield Fair incident. Sheriff Greene stated that formal charges beyond the initial booking will be filed following a consultation with the county prosecutor. Meanwhile, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is conducting a separate assessment regarding potential security threats to public officials.
Christopher Anderson, chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, labeled the episode reprehensible on social media and called for bipartisan condemnation of political violence. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin also released a statement via X expressing relief that Acton was unharmed and offering prayers for those injured at the fairgrounds.
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