Less than a week after being filmed cursing and threatening to shut down a local bar, state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.) has filed to run for re-election in the April 23 primary.
Today was the last day to file to run. Republicans Aizaz Gill and Patrick Gushue also filed. After Boyle filed, Democrat Sean Dougherty – a former public defender, son of state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty and nephew of former electricians union leader John Dougherty – submitted 96 pages of petitions.
After the damaging Boyle video surfaced, Democrats began collecting signatures for Dougherty. Ward leaders Brian Eddis and Jim Donnelly, along with the building trades, were said to be behind that effort. Ward leader and Register of Wills John Sabatina was supporting Bob Stewart as a replacement candidate for Boyle, but Stewart – chief of staff at the Register of Wills and with deep ties in the Bustleton area – dropped his bid when it appeared unions and lawyers would be heavily funding a Dougherty candidacy.
House Democrats put out a statement calling the video “very troubling” and encouraging Boyle to seek help.
This morning, Boyle filed 77 pages of petitions to run.
Five days earlier, a video surfaced that was filmed at Gaul & Co. Malt House, in Rockledge.
The three-minute video begins with Boyle sitting at the bar.
“I’ll f—— end this bar, by the way,” he tells the bartender and patrons.
Boyle eventually stands and walks around another side of the bar.
The bartender calls him a “f—— a–hole” and dares him to get in his car so she can call the cops.
Later, Boyle calls people at the bar “f—— idiots” and “f—— morons,” as they urge him to leave.
“Push me out,” Boyle responds.
Boyle tells the people they are “not from here” and will prevent them from being promoted in the military, though the people respond that they are not in the military.
The video ends with Boyle saying, “This bar is done,” and, “Do you know who the f— I am.”
Rockledge Police Chief John Gallagher issued a news release that said an officer responded to the bar at 12:18 a.m. on Thursday following a call from the bouncer. The officer found Boyle outside the bar. The officer was informed by those in the bar that Boyle had left, but returned before stepping outside again. The female employees declined to press charges. The officer banned Boyle from the bar, and the lawmaker walked away.
Boyle’s office at 7801-A Hasbrook Ave. was closed all last week, with no explanation why.
Boyle has not commented since the video was released. The Times has reached out to Eddis and Donnelly for comment. A Boyle vs. Dougherty primary remains unlikely, as the same power brokers support both men. There is plenty of time for one of them to drop out.
Democrats control the House, 101-100, with two vacancies, but won a special election today in Lower Bucks County. ••
