Assailant lunges at Ohio Democratic governor candidate Amy Acton, several hurt
An armed man lunged at Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton during a Sunday campaign stop at the Canfield Fair, injuring several people before being arrested. Acton herself was unharmed.
Democratic Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton was targeted by an armed assailant on Sunday during a campaign appearance at the Canfield Fair, according to campaign officials. Several people were injured when the man lunged toward Acton.
Mahoning county Democratic party chairperson Chris Anderson said the suspect knocked volunteers to the ground before being arrested, and was later found to be carrying weapons. Acton herself was not hurt in the incident.
Campaign communications director Addie Bullock said Acton was grateful for the swift response from law enforcement and was praying for the recovery of those injured, adding that this kind of violence has no place in Ohio. A photo circulated on social media after the incident showed Acton checking on one of the injured.
Anderson called the episode at the campaign's tent reprehensible and said it should be condemned by political leaders across the spectrum.
Reaction from rivals
Acton is running against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has turned his national profile, tech industry ties and alliance with Donald Trump into record-breaking fundraising that he is using for advertising ahead of the November election. Ramaswamy has been using rallies and ads to criticize Acton, who previously served as the state's public health director.
Through his communications director Connie Luck, Ramaswamy called the attack completely unacceptable, saying candidates should be able to meet voters without fear of threats or violence. Michigan Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed also condemned the attack, saying in a social media post that there is no place for political violence in America and expressing hope the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of resolving political differences peacefully.
The fairground's police department referred questions to the Mahoning county sheriff's department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Ohio state highway patrol also did not immediately respond.
