After armed confrontation at Acton event, how are Ohio campaigns handling political-security risks?

An armed man allegedly forced his way through a crowd and charged toward Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton at the Canfield Fair on Sept. 6, injuring several people before Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers intervened. Acton was unharmed, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Canfield Fair organizers added no extra security the following Monday, Cleveland.com reported. Acton, meanwhile, returned to public campaigning at Cleveland’s Labor Day parade.

For Lake County residents deciding whether to attend fairs, parades and candidate stops, Canfield offers an early but limited picture of the safeguards in place. A statement from Attorney General Wilson said Acton had an executive protection detail, backed by the Highway Patrol, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the fair’s private police department.

But fairgoers entering the grounds did not pass through metal detectors or wanding. Wanding and bag checks were used for grandstand concerts.

The rush through the crowd

ABC News reported that Acton was speaking at the Mahoning County Democratic Party booth when authorities said Patrick Havas forced his way through the audience, knocking people over as he moved toward her.

Authorities said Havas was carrying two pistols and a Taser. None of the weapons was displayed or removed from its holster during the confrontation.

Addie Bullock, communications director for the Acton campaign, described the encounter in an Acton campaign statement: “While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people.”

Gov. Mike DeWine credited the officers who responded in a statement on the Canfield Fair incident.

“We are grateful for the quick work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement on the scene at the Canfield Fair today when a man tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democrat booth,” DeWine said. He added, “Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable.”

Havas appeared by video in Canfield court Sept. 8 and pleaded not guilty to two assault counts, disorderly conduct and inducing panic, NBC News reported.

Public events continue

Acton appeared at Cleveland’s Labor Day parade after the confrontation, WKYC reported.

The Republican campaign also defended candidates’ ability to meet voters in person. The Cleveland Jewish News reported that Connie Luck, communications director for Vivek for Ohio, the campaign of Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy, called the incident “completely unacceptable.”

“Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence,” Luck said.

What the new law changes

A new state law taking effect Sept. 17 will give the Highway Patrol broader authority to protect candidates and statewide officeholders.

The bill text directs the patrol to provide security for specified statewide officeholders and, at the governor’s direction, eligible candidates. It also expands arrest authority for troopers assigned to executive protection.

The law provides authority for candidate protection when the governor directs it. It does not set screening rules or provide a security plan for individual fairs, parades or campaign stops.

That distinction is the harder test raised by Canfield: Acton was unharmed, but several people in the crowd around her were injured.