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Armed man charged toward Democratic Ohio governor candidate, law enforcement says
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- An armed man, identified as Patrick Havas, charged toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair, injuring several people before being stopped by troopers; he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and assault.
- Havas was found with two handguns, a taser, and brass knuckles, though no weapons were brandished during the incident, which drew condemnation from political figures including Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and Senator Jon Husted.
- The attack highlights increasing political violence in the U.S., with past incidents including attacks on political figures and events, and growing security expenses for political campaigns.
- Amy Acton, former Ohio health director known for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, is facing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in a high-profile gubernatorial race ahead of the November election.
- Both campaigns condemned the attack, emphasizing that candidates should be able to engage with voters without fear of violence, while Acton's team vowed to stand against the chaos and division fueling such incidents.
