YOUNGSTOWN — An armed person lunged at Ohio's Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton on Sunday afternoon at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, injuring several people before law enforcement took a suspect into custody.
Acton, a physician and former state health director, was not injured. She remained at the scene to provide medical assistance to one of the wounded.
Addie Bullock, Acton's campaign spokesperson, said Acton and her husband expressed gratitude for law enforcement's response and offered prayers for the injured. "This kind of violence has no place in Ohio," Bullock said. "Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another."
The attack occurred at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent. Christopher Anderson, the county party chair, called it "reprehensible" and said it "should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle." He praised the quick response from local police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which was providing security for Acton.
Acton is running to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. She faces Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman who ran for president in 2024, in November. Recent polls show a close race.
Ramaswamy was also scheduled to appear at the fair Sunday afternoon. His campaign spokesperson, Connie Luck, said, "Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. This is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics." She expressed hope that no one was seriously injured.
DeWine said he had spoken with Acton and was relieved she was unhurt. "Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable," he said. "The case is now in the hands of law enforcement and will be investigated thoroughly."
Acton served as Ohio's health director under DeWine during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
