Armed man charged after confronting Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton at county fair

On September 6, 2026, Patrick Havas was arrested after forcefully pushing through a crowd to confront Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair. Havas allegedly knocked over and injured two elderly attendees during the incident. Although found with two handguns, a Taser, and brass knuckles, Havas did not brandish the weapons. He pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault, disorderly conduct, and inducing panic. Bipartisan leaders, including Republican Governor Mike DeWine and opponent Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign, strongly condemned the confrontation.

Canfield Fair confrontation incident

• ▪During the confrontation at the Canfield Fair, Patrick Havas allegedly knocked two elderly attendees to the ground as he attempted to approach Amy Acton.
• ▪Amy Acton, who is a physician, was uninjured in the incident and remained on the scene to help care for the injured attendees.
• ▪On September 6, 2026, Patrick Havas allegedly forced his way through a crowd to confront Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair in Canfield, Ohio.

Patrick Havas arrest

• ▪Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers working as Amy Acton's security detail apprehended Patrick Havas as he moved toward her at the Canfield Fair.
• ▪Following his arrest on September 6, 2026, Patrick Havas was booked into the Mahoning County jail.

Assault charges filed

• ▪Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro defended the decision not to pursue felony charges, stating that Patrick Havas never made physical contact with Amy Acton or brandished a weapon.
• ▪Law enforcement officers recovered two handguns, a set of brass knuckles, and a Taser from Patrick Havas following his arrest at the Canfield Fair.
• ▪A judge set a $5,000 cash surety bond for Patrick Havas and ordered him to surrender his weapons and have no contact with Amy Acton or the injured couple.

Weapons recovered from suspect

• ▪Under Ohio's open-carry law, adults are permitted to possess firearms without a permit as long as the weapons are not concealed under clothing.
• ▪The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office stated that Patrick Havas never brandished or removed any of the recovered weapons from their holsters during the incident.
• ▪Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned the incident, stating that violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.

Political violence condemnation

• ▪Connie Luck, the communications director for Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign, released a statement calling the confrontation completely unacceptable.
• ▪Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted both issued statements denouncing the attempted attack on Amy Acton.
• ▪Amy Acton, the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is the Democratic nominee running for Ohio governor against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the November 2026 election.