Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dr. Amy Acton is speaking out after an alarming confrontation at a county fair left several people injured and an armed man behind bars.
Acton, 60, was attending the Canfield Fair in northeastern Ohio on Sunday when authorities say 38-year-old Patrick Havas forced his way through a crowd and aggressively moved toward the Democratic candidate.
Havas knocked multiple fairgoers to the ground as he tried to reach Acton before Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers stopped him, according to authorities.
Acton was not injured.
Police said Havas was carrying two pistols, a Taser and brass knuckles, although authorities said he did not draw the weapons during the incident. He was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
Voter records reviewed by multiple news outlets identify Havas as a registered Republican. Authorities have not publicly announced a motive for his actions.
Just one day later, Acton appeared at Cleveland’s annual Labor Day parade and addressed the frightening encounter.
“Yes, we had a rough day yesterday,” Acton told the crowd.
She thanked first responders, state troopers and others who helped the people injured during the chaos.
“Our prayers are with them,” Acton said before adding that the incident would not stop her from campaigning.
“But see, I am a fierce warrior in this fight, and that’s exactly why I’m running.”
Acton also took aim at the increasingly bitter tone of American politics, saying voters she meets are tired of “the hate and the chaos and the vitriol” and of being deliberately divided against each other.
“I’m in for this fight,” she said. “I’m a scrappy kid.”
Acton then issued a warning to anyone who might underestimate her.
“They’re making a big mistake, if they mistake kindness for weakness.”
Her comments echoed a statement from campaign communications director Addie Bullock, who condemned the incident and said political violence has no place in Ohio.
The dramatic scene also showcased Acton’s background as a physician.
After Havas was detained Sunday, Acton reportedly moved into the crowd to help people who had been injured.
Then on Monday, cameras captured her assisting someone suffering a medical emergency before the Cleveland parade. She was later seen helping an elderly woman who collapsed along the parade route.
The incident was condemned by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine praised law enforcement for its quick response and said political violence was unacceptable. Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, also condemned what happened and said candidates should be able to meet voters without fearing violence.
The case took another unusual turn when Havas’ family connections came under scrutiny.
Patrick Havas is the brother of Andrew Havas, a Republican political operative who previously volunteered for Republican Ohio Sen. Jon Husted’s campaign.
Andrew Havas resigned from his volunteer position in July after NBC News contacted the campaign about a criminal case dating back to 2008.
Court records reviewed by NBC News showed Andrew Havas, who was 22 at the time, had originally been charged with sexual misconduct involving a 15-year-old.
The charge was later reduced to misdemeanor assault as part of a plea agreement.
He pleaded guilty in 2009, received a 90-day jail sentence, was fined and was ordered to have no contact with the minor.
Husted’s campaign said Andrew Havas had not disclosed the case and that his resignation was immediately accepted after officials learned about it.
Andrew Havas has also donated more than $10,000 to Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial campaign, according to campaign-finance records cited by TiffinOhio.net.
However, there is currently no evidence that Patrick Havas’ actions at the fair were connected to his brother’s political activity, those campaign donations or Acton’s previous criticism of them. Authorities have not announced a motive.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.
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He was trying to get a photo of her, and one of her 10+ bodyguards, bumped into an elderly person, knocking them down and resulted in a skinned knee. She was not even touched, or attacked.
I Believe There Will Be A Lot Of Attacks
He\’s from the Trump administration. Get Trump and his administration out of the White House now.