An armed man was arrested Sunday after pushing through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair, authorities said. Several people were injured in the incident, while Acton was not hurt.
The man, identified as 38-year-old Patrick Havas of Canfield, was taken into custody by members of Acton’s security detail from the Ohio State Highway Patrol after he moved rapidly through the crowd toward the candidate, according to Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene.
Greene said Havas was holding up a cellphone as he moved toward Acton and allegedly knocked over two older people who were using mobility scooters. One of those people fell to the ground.
People attending the campaign event were also knocked down as Havas moved through the crowd, according to witnesses and Democratic officials who were at the fair.
Wayne Penny Jr., a Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 59th State House District, said the man had moved through a group of people gathered near the Democratic Party’s tent before heading toward Acton. Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson also said several volunteers were knocked to the ground.
Authorities said Havas had two pistols and brass knuckles with him at the time of his arrest. Greene said the weapons were legal to carry in Ohio.
Havas was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on Sunday. The county’s current inmate records list two assault counts and one disorderly-conduct count, and show him in pretrial custody.
Acton was unharmed following the incident. Her campaign said she was grateful for the quick response from law enforcement and expressed concern for those who were injured.
The incident drew condemnation from both sides of Ohio’s gubernatorial race.
Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign called the incident unacceptable and said political candidates should be able to meet voters without facing threats or violence.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also condemned what he described as an attempted act of violence and praised Acton’s security team for responding quickly.
Gov. Mike DeWine said he and his wife were thankful Acton was not injured and that their thoughts were with those who were hurt. DeWine said he spoke with Acton after the incident and that she was doing okay.
Acton is running as the Democratic candidate for governor and is set to face Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the November election. State election records list Acton and David Pepper as the Democratic ticket and Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley as the Republican ticket.
The incident happened as candidates continue campaigning ahead of the November election. Authorities have not indicated that Acton was physically injured, and the investigation into the events at the fair remains ongoing.
