Congressional candidate attacked in Castro Valley

A man has been arrested on suspicion of felony assault and other charges for allegedly trying to stab a Republican congressional candidate at the Castro Valley Fall Festival on Sunday, according to an Alameda County sheriff’s spokesman.

Witnesses said Farzad Fazeli, 35, of Castro Valley, approached candidate Rudy Peters at his campaign booth at the festival at Castro Valley Boulevard and Redwood Road shortly before 3:45 p.m. Sunday “in an aggressive manner and made disparaging remarks about his political party and elected officials,” Sgt. Ray Kelly wrote in a news release.

Fazeli is suspected of pulling out a switchblade knife and attempting to stab Peters, but the knife malfunctioned and Peters became involved in a physical struggle with Fazeli, Kelly said.

Fazeli fled the scene but was detained a short time later by deputies and a switchblade knife was found in his possession, according to Kelly.

Peters wasn’t injured.

Fazeli, who lists his occupation as cashier, was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on suspicion of felony assault, criminal threats, brandishing a weapon and possession of a switchblade knife.

Kelly said the case has been forwarded to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for charging.

According to his campaign website, Peters is a founder and co-owner of AARD Solutions, a company that specializes in systems engineering and targets U.S. government intelligence agencies. He has lived in Livermore since 1991.

Peters is running for the 15th congressional district seat currently held by Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin.

Swalwell tweeted:

“I’m glad to hear Mr. Peters is okay. But it’s NEVER okay to use violence to settle political disagreements (or any disagreement).”