Gov. Mike DeWine called the recent security incident involving Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton "reprehensible" and panned online chatter that accused the campaign of overblowing it.
DeWine's comments came days after law enforcement said Patrick M. Havas, 38, of Canfield, charged toward Acton at the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County on Sept. 6 and knocked over people who had gathered to hear her speak. Havas pleaded not guilty to multiple misdemeanor charges during a Sept. 8 court appearance.
Since then, some conservative influencers have accused Acton's campaign of misrepresenting what happened.
"That's a bunch of garbage," DeWine told reporters Sept. 9. "No one overblew it. Facts are facts. These are not good situations, and they are anti-democratic."
Havas pulled out his phone as if to record himself asking Acton a question, according to witnesses at the fair. Law enforcement said he had two guns, brass knuckles and a Taser on him but didn't brandish any weapons. He never made contact with Acton, according to Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro.
Maro said there's so far no evidence of threats or a fixation with Acton on Havas' phone, which has the only known footage of the incident. Maro said attendees were asked not to record Acton's speech.
DeWine previously ordered the Ohio State Highway Patrol to provide protection for Acton and her opponent, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. He also signed legislation in June that allocates $10 million for security for gubernatorial candidates and their immediate families.
DeWine declined to say whether he requested additional security after the fair but said he was "very much involved in conversations that have gone on in the last few days."
"Campaigns, candidates running for office have the right to go out and talk to people," DeWine said. "It's one of the things we cherish. It's very, very important. Anything that interferes with that is bad."
Akron Beacon Journal reporter Bryce Buyakie contributed to this report.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Amy Acton fair incident: 'No one overblew it'
