An armed individual lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and injured multiple people Sunday at the Canfield Fair. The suspect was arrested with multiple weapons after knocking volunteers to the ground. Acton herself was not hurt during the chaotic scene. She stayed at the fair to help one of the injured victims.
Police did not immediately release details about the attacker or the specific weapon involved. It remains unclear what started the confrontation or how many people were hurt in total. The incident happened while Acton was visiting the county party’s tent.
Acton’s campaign released a statement confirming the violence. “While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people,” campaign communications director Addie Bullock said in a statement, according to ABC News. The campaign noted that Acton and her husband are grateful for the fast police response. Prayers are being offered for the recovery of the injured parties.
Tina and I are disturbed by the attempted attack on Amy Acton today at the Canfield Fair.
We are grateful for law enforcement’s quick response.
There is no place for this kind of behavior, and it must never be tolerated.
— Senator Jon Husted (@SenJonHusted) September 6, 2026
Local party leaders condemned the attack immediately. Chris Anderson, chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, stated the suspect was taken into custody. “What happened at our tent today during today’s visit from Dr. Acton is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle,” Anderson wrote on Facebook, according to NBC News. He also praised the quick response from local law enforcement and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Anderson warned that threats against public figures are a serious problem. “The threats to our elected officials, they don’t go away,” he said, according to Fox News. He noted that hate-filled rhetoric on social media often precedes this kind of violence. “You’re never safe in the public eye,” he added.
Acton is currently facing Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for the governor’s seat. While the campaign did not confirm if Acton was injured, other reports indicate she was unharmed. Authorities have not yet announced formal charges against the suspect. Canfield police lacked immediate information regarding the incident when reporters contacted them.
Further details were not immediately provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in response to inquiries. It is still unclear exactly how many people were injured in the burst of violence. The suspect was armed with multiple weapons when officers took him into custody. No one has stated a motive for the attack yet.
This event highlights the danger that comes with running for office. “This kind of violence has no place in Ohio,” Bullock said.
