Assailant lunged at Democratic candidate for Ohio governor at fair in U.S., campaign officials say
An armed assailant lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair, resulting in injuries to several attendees. The suspect was arrested, and the incident has drawn condemnation from both Acton and her opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy.
Why it matters
The incident highlights rising concerns regarding political violence in the United States during a high-profile election cycle.
An armed assailant lunged at the Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, Amy Acton, on Sunday (September 6, 2026) 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.
Ms. Acton, the state’s former public health director, was not injured, but her campaign officials 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.
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