An armed assailant lunged at the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, Amy Acton, on Sunday during a campaign stop at the Canfield Fair, injuring several people, campaign officials said.
The suspect knocked volunteers to the ground and was arrested with “multiple weapons,” Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman Chris Anderson said in a statement.
Acton, the state’s former public health director, was not injured, but her campaign said multiple people were hurt.
“Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another,” said Addie Bullock, communications director for the campaign.
Ohio State Highway Patrol and other authorities at the fair quickly responded “when a man tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democrat booth,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.
“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” he added.
The attempted attack is the latest political violence to roil the United States. And the Ohio gubernatorial race is one of the most high-profile races this year as the campaigns enter the final six weeks of campaigning before the election in November.
Acton is facing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has parlayed his national name recognition, tech industry connections and alliance with President Donald Trump into a record fundraising haul that he is tapping for advertising spots aimed at the November election. He is using campaign rallies and advertising to criticize Acton.
Ramaswamy’s campaign called the incident Sunday unacceptable.
“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope hope that no one was hurt,” Ramaswamy’s communications director, Connie Luck, said in a statement.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey also issued a statement denouncing the attack attempt.
“The violent attack against Dr. Amy Acton in Ohio today is terrifying and absolutely unacceptable. I’m relieved she is safe, praying for the recovery of those who were injured, and grateful to law enforcement for their swift response,” Healey said. “Political violence has become far too common in our country, and all of us have a responsibility to reject it unequivocally. People enter public service because they want to serve their communities and make people’s lives better. No one should have to fear for their safety – or the safety of their loved ones and supporters – because they choose to serve.”
