Armed man attempts to attack Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton

Updated Sept. 6, 2026, 6:46 p.m. ETAn armed man allegedly attacked Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton on Sept. 6, injuring multiple people at the Canfield Fair near Youngstown, according to a statement from Acton's campaign.The attacker was carrying a gun, according to former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House who witnessed the incident.“Today at the Canfield Fair, I witnessed an armed individual attempt to attack a candidate for governor. Hersecurity detail intercepted and restrained the man before he could reach her," Boccieri said in a statement.“The man was found carrying a handgun. Thanks to the immediate response of the candidate’s security detail,no one was seriously injured," Boccieri said.WFMJ-TV in Youngstown reports that Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said the suspect "is expected to be charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Sheriff Greene says that two older adults were knocked over during the incident."Acton, a Democrat, is running in a tight race with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to replace Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine."Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured," according to a statement from Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign.In a Facebook post, Chris Anderson, chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, said a man was arrested at the party's tent at the fair "after knocking volunteers to the ground."Connie Luck, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy, condemned the attack."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," Luck said in a statement.'It looked very coordinated': Boccieri relates what he saw at the Canfield FairBoccieri told the Beacon Journal the attack "looked very coordinated.""I saw a large individual come in and start knocking people around," he said. "He knocked down quite a few people in front of her. One was a very elderly gentleman, probably in his 80s."Boccieri said he and Acton helped the man sit and administered aid.Boccieri said that everyone was treated and released.Acton, he added, was not hurt and started treating those who had been pushed down.Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were able to apprehend the man and take him into custody. The man arrested, Boccieri said he was told later, was armed with a handgun as well as a Taser and brass knuckles."We live in very divided times, but none of our disagreements should lead to this type of violence," Boccieri said.DeWine, other Ohio leaders respondDeWine spoke with Acton, his former health director, after the attempted attack. “She said to share with Ohioans that she is OK,” DeWine said in a statement.“Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable,” DeWine said.Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican, and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, each responded with concern for Acton and thanked law enforcement for their quick action.“Tina and I are disturbed by the attempted attack on Amy Acton today at the Canfield Fair,” Husted said. “There is no place for this kind of behavior, and it must never be tolerated.”Brown said in a statement: “Connie and I are grateful that Dr. Acton and all involved are safe, and we thank the Ohio law enforcement officers for their quick and professional response.”This story will continue to be updated as we get more information.