CANFIELD, OHIO — An armed individual lunged at Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair on Sunday. Multiple people were injured during the incident, but Acton was not injured in the attack.

The suspect, identified as Patrick Havas, knocked volunteers to the ground before being arrested. Law enforcement discovered weapons on the suspect upon arrest. Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene stated that law enforcement found two firearms on the suspect. Greene also stated that two older adults were knocked down during the incident.

Patrick Havas is expected to be charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Addie Bullock, Communications Director for the Acton Campaign, issued a statement regarding the event. "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. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another," Bullock said.

Why It Matters

Acton is the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio, facing Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy in the upcoming election. Acton served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health under Governor Mike DeWine, where she led Ohio's COVID-19 pandemic response from 2019 to 2020. Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited and will leave office at the end of 2026.

The incident occurred at the Canfield Fairgrounds, a 353-acre plot of land in Canfield, Ohio, that hosts the week-long Canfield Fair every summer. Acton has declined to debate Ramaswamy, citing inaccurate attack ads and a focus on speaking directly with voters.

Timeline

On Sunday, September 7, 2026, an armed individual lunged at Acton during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair. During the incident, Wayne Penny Jr. stated that the suspect pushed an elderly gentleman with Parkinson's disease, causing him to hit his head and fall. After detention, Penny stated that he saw brass knuckles fall from the suspect's fingers and a gun was exposed. Later that day, Addie Bullock stated that Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured. Chris Anderson stated that what happened at the tent during the visit from Dr. Acton is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle. Abdul El-Sayad, a Democratic US Senate Candidate from Michigan, stated that there is no place for political violence in America. Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, stated that he is relieved Dr. Acton is safe. Governor Mike DeWine stated that he and Fran are thankful Dr. Acton was not hurt.

What's New

Additional reporting confirmed that the Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair, Chris Anderson, stated that the suspect was arrested at the party tent with multiple weapons after knocking volunteers to the ground. Penny also stated that he saw brass knuckles fall from the suspect's fingers and a gun was exposed after the suspect was detained.

Ken Martin stated that he is relieved Dr. Acton is safe and keeping those who were injured at the Canfield Fair in his prayers. Governor Mike DeWine stated that he and Fran are thankful Dr. Acton was not hurt and that they spoke to her that afternoon. Background information confirms that Acton served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health under Governor Mike DeWine. The Canfield Fairgrounds is a 353-acre plot of land in Canfield, Ohio, that hosts the week-long Canfield Fair every summer. Records show that Acton led Ohio's COVID-19 pandemic response from 2019 to 2020 while serving as the director of the Ohio Department of Health.