Amy Acton targeted by armed assailant at Ohio county fair

Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, was the target of an armed attack during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, September 6, 2026, according to multiple news outlets. The incident, which occurred as Acton spoke at the Mahoning County Democratic booth, left several people injured and sparked immediate condemnation from political leaders across the aisle.

Armed assailant lunged at Acton, injuring volunteers and attendees

The suspect, identified by local authorities as Patrick Havas, allegedly lunged at Acton during her speech, knocking over volunteers and attendees. Mahoning County Democratic Party chairperson Chris Anderson stated that Havas was arrested with “multiple weapons” after the attack. Sheriff Jerry Greene of Mahoning County told a local NBC affiliate that Havas had “knocked down two older adults” during the incident.

Acton, the state’s former public health director, was not injured but expressed gratitude for the “swift and decisive action of law enforcement.” Her campaign spokesperson, Addie Bullock, stated that “multiple people were hurt” and that Acton would “always stand up to the chaos, hate, and vitriol that pits us against one another.”

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The fairground’s police department referred inquiries to the sheriff’s office, which remained silent on the matter.

Political leaders condemn the attack, highlighting competitive race

Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits, called the attack “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing that “violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.” Ohio Republican Senator John Husted also condemned the incident, stating on social media that he and his wife were “disturbed by the attempted attack” and urging “no place for this kind of behavior.”

Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, similarly denounced the attack. His campaign communications director, Connie Luck, called the incident “completely unacceptable” and stressed that “candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence.”

The attack occurred amid a highly competitive gubernatorial race, with Acton facing Ramaswamy, a tech industry entrepreneur and ally of former President Donald Trump. Ramaswamy’s campaign has spent heavily on advertising and rallies to counter Acton’s messaging, which includes her background as a public health leader during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Context of political violence in the U.S.

The incident adds to a growing trend of political violence in the United States. Recent cases include the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, the 2022 assault on the husband of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the 2017 shooting at a Republican congressional baseball practice. A 2023 report by the Public Service Alliance noted that federal political committees spent over $40 million on security during the 2023-24 campaign cycle.

Acton’s political career has been marked by controversy. As Ohio’s former health director, she became a national figure for her role in managing pandemic restrictions, which drew both praise and criticism. Her campaign has highlighted her work in public health, including awards from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Columbus Foundation.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department has not yet provided a full account of the incident, leaving questions about the suspect’s motives and the security measures in place at the fair. As the Ohio gubernatorial race intensifies, the attack underscores the risks faced by political figures in an increasingly polarized environment. The next developments will likely focus on the suspect’s charges and the broader implications for campaign safety protocols.