Man accused of lunging toward gov. candidate to be arraigned

The man accused of injuring spectators at an event for Democratic candidate for governor Amy Acton went before a judge Tuesday afternoon. Patrick Havas, a 38-year-old man from Canfield, faces two charges of assault and one of disorderly conduct. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, on Sunday, Sept. 6, troopers working as Acton's security detail "intercepted" Havas as he forced his way through the crowd toward Acton. "Havas knocked multiple fairgoers over while trying to get towards Dr. Acton and was found to be in possession of a taser and two pistols," the Patrol said in a statement. "Dr. Acton was unharmed during the incident." Havas was then turned over to the Mahoning County Sheriff. In its statement, the Sheriff's office noted a set of brass knuckles were recovered from Havas as well but noted "no weapons were ever brandished." On Monday, the Sheriff asked for anyone with photos or video recordings of the incident to contact the department. Havas is a registered voter in Mahoning County. He last voted in the 2024 general election. While the county voter file doesn't carry a party designation for him, the last time he voted in a primary he pulled a Republican ballot for the 2016 election. Havas is also related to Andrew Havas, a former county campaign chair for Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted's campaign. Andrew resigned that position after NBC News reported he previously served time in jail for sexual misconduct with a minor. Reactions After Sunday's incident, Acton Communications Director Addie Bullock said Dr. Acton and her husband expressed gratitude for the "swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured." "This kind of violence has no place in Ohio," Bullock continued. "Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another." Acton's opponents in the governor's race were quick to condemn Havas' actions as well. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign stated "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 that no one was hurt." Libertarian Don Kissick said "whatever our political disagreements, violence is never an acceptable substitute for debate, elections, or the peaceful exchange of ideas." "Dr. Acton is my opponent in an election," he went on, "but first and foremost she is a fellow Ohioan. I am relieved that law enforcement was there to intervene, and my thoughts are with Dr. Acton, her campaign, and everyone injured in this incident." Gov. Mike DeWine, who helped bring Acton to statewide prominence by tapping her to lead the Department of Health, said he and his wife Fran were thankful Acton wasn't hurt "and we send our thoughts to those who were injured." DeWine thanked the Highway Patrol and other law enforcement for controlling the situation and insisted, "Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable." Attorney General Andy Wilson echoed DeWine's praise of the patrol and stated, "political violence of any kind has no place in Ohio or our nation." On Monday, Acton was back on the campaign trail, taking part in Cleveland's Labor Day Parade. She acknowledged "a rough day" in Canfield but described herself as scrappy. "The number one thing I am fighting for is our common humanity," Acton said. "That is what is at stake in this election. Everywhere I go, it doesn't know party. Everyone is showing up, and they're exhausted of the hate and the chaos and the vitriol and the purposely being pitted against one another." Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. Read more Ohio news and commentary at ohiocapitaljournal.com.