Armed Man Charged After Lunging at Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Acton at Canfield Fair

Key points

• Patrick Havas, 38, of Canfield, was arrested at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair on September 6.
• Havas was charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct; no bond was set, and he is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
• Law enforcement recovered two handguns and brass knuckles from Havas, but stated the weapons were not brandished or removed from holsters during the incident.
• Two older adults were knocked to the ground as Havas pushed through the crowd; Acton was not injured and reportedly helped the injured volunteers.
• The incident occurred during a tight gubernatorial race between Democrat Dr. Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, with both campaigns condemning the violence.

Background

This incident occurs in the context of a closely watched Ohio gubernatorial race between Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, a former Ohio health director, and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton served as Ohio's health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, a role that earned her both national recognition and significant opposition from some Ohioans. The race is one of the most high-profile in the 2026 cycle, with Ramaswamy leveraging national name recognition and a record fundraising haul. The incident also follows a broader trend of political violence in the US, including multiple assassination attempts on President Trump and the 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

How outlets are covering it

The Columbus Dispatch and CNN emphasized the swift response of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the fact that Acton was unharmed. The Vindicator and Cleveland 19 News focused on the specific charges and the recovery of weapons, noting that Havas had a prior criminal history including theft and traffic offenses. All sources reported that both the Acton and Ramaswamy campaigns condemned the incident, with Ramaswamy's campaign stating that candidates should be able to meet voters without fear of violence. The Columbus Dispatch noted that Havas previously shared an address with Andrew Havas, a volunteer who resigned from Sen. Jon Husted's campaign in July over a prior conviction, though this connection was not confirmed by other outlets. CNN highlighted the broader context of political violence in the US, while Cleveland 19 News noted the high-profile nature of the Ohio gubernatorial race and the final six weeks of campaigning before the November election.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the growing concern over political violence in the US and the security challenges faced by political candidates. It also underscores the polarized nature of the Ohio gubernatorial race, with Acton and Ramaswamy representing very different political ideologies. The incident may have implications for the campaign's security measures and the broader political discourse in Ohio.

What to watch

Havas is expected to appear in Mahoning County Court on Tuesday, as the court was closed for Labor Day. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are continuing their investigation into the incident. The gubernatorial race between Acton and Ramaswamy will continue, with the final six weeks of campaigning leading up to the November election.