Ohio candidate Amy Acton attacked at fair, spokesperson says

Ohio candidate Amy Acton attacked at fair, spokesperson notes. James Powel, Anthony Shoemaker USA TODAY NETWORK.

Key points

• An armed person lunged at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton and injured multiple individuals at the Canfield Fair near Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept.
• John Boccieri, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House who witnessed the incident, "an armed individual" attempted to attack the gubernatorial candidate at the Canfield Fair.
• Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol apprehended the man and took him into custody.
• According to Mike DeWine, acton was OK in a post on social media.
• She is in a tight race with Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton visited Zanesville on Aug. 7 as part of her campaign. It included a roundtable discussion on healthcare costs.

Meanwhile, an armed person lunged at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton and injured multiple individuals at the Canfield Fair near Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept. 6, her campaign spokesperson remarked.

"Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured, " Addie Bullock remarked in an official note posted to social media. Chris Anderson, chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, remarked on Facebook that a man was arrested at the party's tent at the fair "after knocking volunteers to the ground."

"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 remarked.

USA TODAY reached out to the Canfield Police Department for further information.

According to former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House who witnessed the incident, "an armed individual" attempted to attack the gubernatorial candidate at the Canfield Fair.

"Her security detail intercepted and restrained the man before he could reach her, " Boccieri remarked in an official note to The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol apprehended the man and took him into custody. The man arrested, Boccieri remarked he was informed afterwards, was armed with a handgun as well as a Taser and brass knuckles.

Boccieri informed the Akron Beacon Journal, additionally part of the USA TODAY Network, that the attack "looked very coordinated" and that he first saw someone who looked like they were directing the suspect to where Acton was.

"I saw a sizeable individual come in and start knocking residents around. He knocked down quite a few individuals in front of her, " he stated. Boccieri continued that Acton, a physician, was not hurt and that she kicked off treating those who had been pushed down. Gov. DeWine, other Ohio leaders respond.

Outgoing Republican Gov. According to Mike DeWine, acton was OK in a post on social media.

"Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable, " DeWine remarked.

Acton is running to replace DeWine in November. She is in a tight race with Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.

"Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence, " Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson Connie Luck remarked in an official note to USA TODAY. "What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics." This story has been updated. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, ohio candidate Amy Acton attacked at fair, spokesperson says remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.