Fair Incident Arrest
Armed man arrested after pushing through crowd toward gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton.
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Key Points
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The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. inside the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent, where Havas was reportedly using his cellphone to record Acton before pushing through the crowd.
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Acton’s security detail included Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, who confronted Havas as two people were knocked to the ground; Canfield Fair police then took him into custody.
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Havas was being held in the Mahoning County jail without bond and was expected to appear in Mahoning County Court in Canfield on Tuesday because the court was closed for Labor Day.
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Andrew Havas gave Vivek Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign $10,102.54 through five contributions made between February and June 2025, including a $2,602.54 contribution on Feb. 28; Acton had publicly criticized those contributions less than two months before the arrest.
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol said it would separately investigate any potential threat assessment, while the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office planned to consult the county prosecutor before filing charges.
A 38-year-old man was arrested Sunday after pushing through a crowd toward Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair, knocking down at least two people. Fox 8 reported that Patrick Havas was carrying two handguns, a Taser, and brass knuckles, but authorities said he never drew any weapons. Acton was unharmed, and Havas now faces assault and disorderly-conduct charges.
The incident has drawn swift condemnation from both parties. Ohio Capital Journal reported that Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy joined Acton in condemning the violence. Investigators are examining whether the incident was politically motivated while holding Havas in the Mahoning County jail without bond.
Armed Man Pushed Through Crowd at Democratic Campaign Stop
Patrick Havas, 38, entered the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the Canfield Fair around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, recording on his cellphone while Acton spoke. Fox 8 reported that he then aggressively shoved through the crowd toward the candidate. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers stopped him as two fairgoers fell to the ground and were injured.
Canfield Fair police took Havas into custody. A search found two holstered handguns, a Taser, and brass knuckles on him—but according to The Week, no weapons were ever drawn or brandished. Acton remained unharmed and stayed at the scene to help injured volunteers.
Suspect's Brother Has Ties to Republican Nominee's Campaign
Police identified the suspect's brother as Andrew Havas, a Republican operative who donated to Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign. Ohio Capital Journal reported that Andrew Havas gave Ramaswamy's campaign $10,102.54 across five contributions between February and June 2025. Acton had publicly criticized those donations less than two months before the arrest.
However, law enforcement found no evidence linking Patrick Havas's actions to his brother's political activities or donations. Andrew Havas previously resigned from another Republican campaign in July after reports surfaced about an undisclosed 2009 misdemeanor assault conviction.
Cross-Party Leaders Condemn Political Violence at Fair
Gov. Mike DeWine and Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy both condemned the incident, joining Acton in calling for an end to political violence. Fox 8 reported that the Mahoning County Democratic Party chair called the attack "reprehensible" and said the party "abhors political violence in all forms."
Havas was scheduled to appear in Mahoning County Court on Tuesday following the Labor Day weekend. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is conducting a separate threat assessment to determine if he had a political motive. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office is consulting with prosecutors about formal charges.
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