State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.) voted 18 times “by designation” on Wednesday while police continue to seek to arrest him for violating a protection from abuse order involving his ex-wife.
Republicans objected that Boyle should not have been allowed to vote because nobody knows where he is. Every House Democrat voted to allow Boyle to keep voting.
House Democratic leadership issued this statement: “Vote by designation is the longstanding practice of the chamber. That said, the House is currently dealing with a unique and sad set of circumstances and the House will respond appropriately. Rep. Boyle desperately needs help, not partisan performative politics. Rest assured, in short order, the state House will be taking appropriate, compassionate and affirmative steps to address this matter without theater, partisanship or delay.”
On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford issued a statement that read, “I love Kevin, but I have serious concerns about his mental health and it breaks my heart to see him this way. I hope he gets the help he needs.”
Police sources say Boyle, 44, is only permitted to text his ex-wife about their children. They say Boyle sent up to 200 texts over several days about matters not involving their children, though the texts are not said to be threatening.
On Tuesday, Boyle was not in Harrisburg but voted on bills by designation. He was expected to turn himself in on Tuesday night, but never did. As of Wednesday night, the arrest warrant remains active.
Boyle was not expected to have a primary challenge until a video surfaced in early February of him at Gaul & Co. Malt House, in Rockledge. Boyle tells bartenders and patrons that he will “f—— end this bar.” Later, he calls people at the bar “f—— idiots” and “f—— morons,” and tells them to “push me out” when they urge him to leave. He 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.”
Democrats, realizing that Boyle would surely lose re-election to a Republican, quickly recruited lawyer Sean Dougherty to enter the race.
The primary is next Tuesday. Boyle does not appear to be running an active campaign and his office does not look like it’s been especially active since the video surfaced.
If Boyle wins the primary, he’ll face the winner of the Republican primary between Aizaz Gill and Patrick Gushue.
When the video surfaced, House Democratic leaders put out a statement that read, “We are encouraged that our colleague and dear friend is seeking help.”
However, a day later, they reissued a statement that did not include that sentence and instead read, “We continue to encourage our colleague and dear friend to seek help.”
Boyle is the younger brother of U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle. ••
