An armed man allegedly pushed through a crowd of campaign volunteers and fairgoers at the Canfield Fair Sunday, lunging toward Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton before being detained by law enforcement. Acton was not physically harmed, but several people were injured in the chaos, including two elderly fair attendees who were knocked to the ground.
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene identified the suspect as Patrick Havas, who was carrying two firearms when he allegedly lunged toward Acton, according to SSBCrack News. Charges against Havas are expected to include two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Anderson said the suspect entered the party's booth at the fairgrounds and knocked multiple campaign volunteers to the ground while trying to reach Acton before police apprehended him, according to WKYC.
Local reporting indicated two elderly fair attendees were among those injured after being knocked down as the assailant pushed through the crowd toward Acton, per Cedar News. Acton was reportedly unharmed alongside her husband. The Acton campaign, in a statement reported by WCPO 9 Cincinnati, thanked law enforcement for its swift and decisive action and said the campaign is praying for the recovery of those who were injured.
Campaign Responds to the Attack
Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign, addressed the incident directly in comments carried by WCPO 9 Cincinnati. “This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” Bullock said. “Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another.”
The confrontation is not the first time Acton has faced a security threat tied to her public role. While serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health from 2019 to June 2020, Acton faced severe backlash over statewide COVID-19 restrictions, including demonstrations by armed protesters outside her suburban Columbus home before her resignation, according to The Guardian.
A Massive Fairgrounds and Ohio's Gun Laws
The confrontation unfolded during the 180th Canfield Fair, held September 2 through 7 in Mahoning County. The fair is recognized as Ohio's largest county fair, spanning 353 acres and drawing more than 300,000 visitors annually, according to Explore Mahoning.
Official 2026 Canfield Fair regulations permit visitors to carry firearms on the fairgrounds under Ohio state law, though guns remain prohibited inside fair buildings displaying posted signage, per the Canfield Fair's own attendee guidelines. State law limits fair boards from banning firearms across open outdoor fairgrounds, meaning open-air campaign booths like the one hosting Acton fall outside any weapons restriction.
This is not the first time security has become a concern at the fairgrounds. The Canfield Fair previously experienced major disruptions in September 2022, when fights and gunshots led to a venue lockdown and the arrests of 11 individuals, according to WKBN.
High Stakes in a Closely Watched Race
Acton is a candidate for Ohio governor, while Vivek Ramaswamy is also a gubernatorial candidate, according to Ballotpedia. Acton's campaign hopes to win the governor's office.
Acton is campaigning for governor, as discussed in campaign coverage. Questions remain about the motive behind Sunday's confrontation, along with what formal charges prosecutors will ultimately file against Havas and whether security protocols will change for Acton's remaining campaign events ahead of Election Day.
