Armed Man Arrested After Lunging at Ohio Governor Candidate Acton

An armed man was arrested and charged after allegedly lunging at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair on Sunday.

Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield, Ohio, forced his way through a crowd, knocking over multiple audience members as he moved toward Ms. Acton. Campaign officials stated that Ms. Acton was unharmed, but several people were injured in the incident, including two older individuals on mobility scooters, one of whom fell to the ground. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that Mr. Havas had a taser and two pistols.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two handguns and a set of brass knuckles were recovered after his arrest, but stated that no weapons were ever brandished or even removed from their holsters. Mr. Havas was taken to the Mahoning County Jail and booked on charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault.

Republican Governor Mike DeWine stated that the man tried to forcefully push himself toward Ms. Acton, adding that violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable. Ms. Acton's campaign communications director, Addie Bullock, expressed gratitude for law enforcement's swift action and stated, "This kind of violence has no place in Ohio."

Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign also called the incident unacceptable. The attempted attack occurred as the Ohio gubernatorial race, a high-profile contest, enters its final six weeks before the November election. Ms. Acton is facing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has used his national recognition and alliance with President Donald Trump for fundraising and advertising. Ms. Acton, 60, previously served as Ohio's public health director, a role in which she earned awards but also faced opposition for her aggressive stance against the COVID-19 virus.

Patrick Havas is a registered Republican, and his brother, Andrew Havas, resigned from a volunteer role with Republican Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s re-election campaign in July after a past sexual misconduct charge with a minor came to light.