Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Amy Acton attacked by armed man at campaign event

An armed man attacked Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio Amy Acton on Sunday, leaving multiple people injured.

Acton and her husband were left unharmed after an ‘armed individual lunged’ at her while attending a fair in Canfield in the Northeastern part of the state, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement.

‘Fran and I are thankful Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured. We spoke to Dr. Acton this afternoon and she said to share with Ohioans that she is ok,’ he said. 

Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with felony assault and disorderly conduct, The Vindicator reported. 

During the attack, he allegedly knocked volunteers to the ground before being taken into custody. 

Havas had two firearms on him and was holding either a phone or a camera when he lunged at Acton at around 2:45pm, Mahoning County Sherriff Jerry Greene told WFMJ. 

Acton’s security team worked with local police to apprehend Canfield, who has been taken to Mahoning County Jail. 

DeWine added that an investigation into the incident is underway and in the hands of law enforcement. 

An armed man lunged at Democrat candidate for governor of Ohio Amy Acton (pictured) and her husband, injuring multiple people

Patrick Havas (pictured), 38, of Canfield, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with felony assault and disorderly conduct

The candidate is running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to try and flip the Ohio state governor’s office. 

Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Christopher Anderson said Acton was at the county party’s tent at the fair when the man lunged at her. He added that the suspect has been arrested. 

‘Let me be clear – The Mahoning County Democratic Party abhors political violence in all forms,’ Anderson wrote on Facebook.

‘What happened at our tent today during today’s visit from Dr. Acton is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle.’ 

DeWine described the incident as involving a man who ‘tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton as she was speaking.’

Acton and her husband Eric thanked first responders in a statement from her campaign. 

‘Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured,’ Communications Director Addie Bullock said. 

‘This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.’

Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Christopher Anderson said Acton was at the county party’s tent at the fair when the man lunged at her. He added that the suspect has been arrested

Acton and her husband were left uninjured after an ‘armed individual lunged’ at her while attending a fair in Canfield in the southern part of the state, her campaign said

The candidate is running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy (pictured) to try and flip the Ohio state governor’s office

The Ramaswamy campaign – who had been scheduled to attend the fair as well on Sunday – condemned the attack when reached by The Daily Mail on Sunday.  

‘Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,’ said Connie Luck, Ramaswamy’s communications director. 

‘What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope that no one was hurt.’ 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Canfield Police Department, Ohio State Troopers and the Acton campaign for further details. 

Acton is the former health director for the state of Ohio under Republican Governor DeWine in 2019 and 2020 and led the state’s COVID response. 

Her high public profile and robust early fundraising have made Democrats hopeful of winning back the governor’s office for the first time since 2006. 

Acton became a household name across Ohio in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as she stood alongside Mike DeWine during daily coronavirus broadcasts. 

Her comforting presence during the crisis made her a beloved figure with many Ohioans.

Her campaign also has highlighted her rough childhood, overcoming poverty, homelessness and sexual abuse while growing up in Youngstown. 

But the administration’s aggressive pandemic actions — including shuttering businesses, closing schools and canceling an election — also earned Acton plenty of enemies and made her the occasional target of people upset about the policies, with some armed protesters showing up outside her home. 

Ramaswamy, who has parlayed his national name recognition, tech industry connections and alliance with President Donald Trump into a record fundraising haul that he is tapping for advertising spots aimed at the November election. 

He is using campaign rallies and advertising to criticize Acton, the state´s former public health director.

Ohio has not elected a Democratic governor since 2006.  

This is a developing story.