On Sunday, Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, Amy Acton, experienced a disruption during her campaign at the Canfield Fair. An armed individual charged at her, causing injuries to several attendees, according to campaign officials.
The suspect, who carried multiple weapons, was quickly apprehended. Chris Anderson, Chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, confirmed this in a statement. Although Acton remained unharmed, the incident resulted in injuries to other people.
Details about the episode have not been released by law enforcement agencies. Wayne Penny Jr., a candidate for Ohio’s 59th State House District, described to CBS News the chaos as hecklers assembled at the Democratic Party’s booth. One individual aggressively barged through, toppling volunteers and an elderly man with Parkinson’s. This man suffered a head injury upon falling.
Penny noted that security personnel intervened and detained the suspect, during which brass knuckles and a gun were discovered. Acton’s campaign expressed appreciation for the swift response of law enforcement and wished for the recovery of those injured. The campaign’s communication director, Addie Bullock, stated that such violence is unwelcome in Ohio and reaffirmed Acton’s commitment to countering chaos and hate.
Amy Acton is up against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who utilizes his connections in the tech industry and alliance with President Donald Trump to boost his campaign. Ramaswamy denounced the incident as unacceptable, emphasizing the need for safety in political events.
Connie Luck, Ramaswamy’s communications director, mirrored the sentiment, hoping no one was seriously hurt.
Ohio’s Governor, Mike DeWine, expressed gratitude for Acton’s safety and concern for those harmed. He condemned the violence, asserting its inadmissibility in political or public events.