Political violence does not have to succeed to erode a democracy. It needs only become ever more ordinary.
On Sunday, an armed man rushed toward Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio, as she campaigned at the Canfield Fair.
Police say 38-year-old Patrick Havas pushed through the crowd toward Acton, knocking people down along the way, including two older people on mobility scooters. He was carrying two handguns, a Taser, and brass knuckles.
State troopers assigned to protect Acton stopped him before he reached her. Acton was unharmed. Others were injured, and Acton remained at the scene to help treat one of them. Havas was arrested on assault and disorderly conduct charges.
Police have not said whether he intended to shoot Acton. No concrete motive is yet known, and they say he never drew his weapons.
The attack on Acton occurred while she was walking through a county fair, shaking hands and talking with voters.
Threats of violence against candidates and public officials are increasingly part of the landscape of public life. In the 2023-24 election cycle, the last for which there is data, federal political committees spent more than $40 million on expenses listed as security.
Political violence does not have to succeed to erode a democracy. It needs only become ever more ordinary.
Notes To My Future Self 