An armed individual lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, injuring multiple people, according to a statement from her campaign.
Acton's campaign communications director, Addie Bullock, stated that Acton and her running mate Eric are grateful for law enforcement's response and are praying for the injured. The campaign did not confirm if Acton sustained any injuries. Details regarding the alleged attacker, the weapon used, or the conditions of those injured have not been immediately released by authorities, nor has the apparent motive for the confrontation.
The incident occurred as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin cautioned that threats against candidates and public figures persist as the campaign season intensifies. "You’re never safe in the public eye," Mullin told Fox News, noting the rhetoric and hatefulness present on social media.
"The threats to our elected officials, they don’t go away," Mullin said, emphasizing the need to "bring down the temperature." He added that while differing opinions are fundamental to a republic, violence used to silence those opinions crosses a line from free speech into inciting dangerous behavior. Mullin's remarks were general and not a direct response to the Canfield Fair incident.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, condemned the incident. Ramaswamy's campaign communications director, Connie Luck, stated, "Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence." She added that the event was "completely unacceptable and has no place in politics."
Acton, a physician, previously served as the director of the Ohio Department of Health. Her tenure during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included implementing public health restrictions, has become a central issue in her race against Ramaswamy, the Republican nominee. The election to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is scheduled for November. Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office was contacted for additional information.