An alleged attack on Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair is renewing calls at the Statehouse to address politically motivated violence.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says 38-year-old Patrick Havas forced his way through a crowd toward Acton while she was speaking Sunday at the Mahoning County Democratic Party booth. Authorities say he knocked multiple fairgoers down before troopers on Acton’s executive protection detail stopped him. Acton was not injured. Havas was charged with two counts of assault and disorderly conduct. Authorities said he was carrying two pistols and a Taser, but did not display the weapons during the incident.
Gov. Mike DeWine said he and First Lady Fran DeWine were thankful Acton was not hurt and praised the response from law enforcement.
“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine said, adding that the case would be “investigated thoroughly.”
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson also condemned the incident, saying, “The attempted violence directed at Dr. Acton is unacceptable, political violence of any kind has no place in Ohio or our nation.” Wilson said he was grateful for the quick action of Acton’s Ohio State Highway Patrol protection detail.
The incident is also putting new attention on several bills aimed at political violence and security that have stalled at the Ohio Statehouse. News 5 reports proposals include a bipartisan hate-crimes bill that would increase penalties for crimes motivated by characteristics including political affiliation, another measure that would increase penalties for politically motivated crimes, and legislation allowing certain elected officials to carry firearms in government buildings. None of those proposals advanced beyond a first hearing before lawmakers left for summer recess.
Acton appeared at Cleveland’s Labor Day parade the following day and thanked first responders and those who helped people injured at the fair.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and local authorities continue to investigate the Canfield Fair incident.
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