It’s definitely fair to say the feud between Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack and the Boyle brothers (U.S. Congressman Brendan and State Representative Kevin) has gotten personal.
According to Ryan Briggs of Philly.com, the Lt. Governor’s wife Tonya and Kevin Boyle ran into each other at a fundraiser held in St. Dominic’s Church parish hall for the family of Michael Strange.
“She sat down and flipped me the bird within three to four seconds of sitting down,” Boyle told Briggs. “After she gave me the bird, I said, ‘What a trashy move.’”
Then, Boyle said that Stack threw her cup of soda at him.
“She aimed the soda at me and it landed directly on me hitting from my chest to my lap,” he stated.
In response, a state trooper on Mrs. Stack’s detail grabbed her and whisked her away.
Stack’s spokesman confirmed that Pennsylvania’s Second Lady was there but wouldn’t comment on what happened.
“This was a ridiculous and immature act that shouldn’t have happened and hopefully won’t be repeated. We have to be civil about our differences in politics,” Boyle concluded.
Personal and Political History
To gain an understanding of what led up to this incident, you have to know the circumstances of the recent HD-170 special election.
After Brendan Boyle won election to the U.S. Congress in the 13th district, he retired from his seat in Harrisburg.
That left a special election in the 170th legislative district. The Boyles were hopping the party would nominate Seth Kaplan, their top staffer (and one of PoliticsPA’s 2014 top operatives).
Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack, however, was ward leader in the district and he wanted his close friend John Del Ricci to get the nomination.
When the dust settled the Democrats had formally selected Del Ricci, Sarah Del Ricci. Sarah was John’s wife and she had never run for office before or had any political experience.
Smelling blood, the GOP was proactive and got behind 26-year old financial advisor Martina White while the Democrats were still battling over their nomination.
Kaplan threatened to run as an independent but eventually decided to pass.
When White received an extraordinary amount of labor support for a Republican, some Democrats felt that the Boyles and their allies were torpedoing Del Ricci’s chances.
In the end, White ran the better campaign and prevailed (in fact, she was just sworn in yesterday).
On election night PoliticsPA reached out to Kaplan about the results.
“I’m not going to focus on what is obviously a very embarrassing night for Lt. Governor Stack that his hand picked candidate lost by 15 points,” he responded. “I will say I am proud of my work to help Brendan Boyle become the only Democrat to win this historically GOP seat. Tonight’s results are a reminder that for Democrats to win we need to nominate hard working, qualified candidates.”
Ultimately, don’t be surprised if Seth Kaplan runs for the Democratic nomination next year and don’t be shocked if Mike (and Tonya) Stack aren’t happy about it.
Loading ...
28 Responses
I just got arrested for a SCAM of 19,000!
Kevin Boyle seems like an attention seeker with this story. He obviously shopped it around, hoping for sympathy and enjoying the mud slinging. I don’t know that I buy his pitiful tale but if I did, I would respect him a lot more if he didn’t run to news outlets about a scuff up with a woman. Get over it. You are from Philly right? Kevin Boyle doesn’t seem like he has the right stuff to make it in Philly politics. Maybe when he grows up?
When someone calls you trashy, and you throw a soda at them…it’s confirmed.
My Brother, Kevin, is very upset by all of this. He has been crying since Saturday. Ever since Tonya Harding did her infamous crime every time a Tonya is in your life you know it will end up FUBAR. Soda regulations need to be implemented ASAP to avoid this tragic event from every happening again in the USA.
Something else to think about here…y would someone who has a PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER against them be pissed off at LT Gov Stack because the Lt. GOV didn’t chose that person with the PFA to run for office? So to cover ur ass u run around trashing Stack accusing him of making the seat go Republican when the person who has the PFA and didnt get chosen to run helps the Republican win Just so u can run in 2016. The PFA will b out there even then too! Have a set of balls and admit ur wrong!
SK: Thanks for the facts-this now makes more sense. I thought this was a contrived hit piece by a staff paid flack and the boss happily bought how “smart” this was politically.
In what world does a grown man (let alone an elected official)stoop to this knuckle dragging pettiness.
He should pick up the phone and call Mrs. Stack and sincerely apologize and get over it as a momentary bad impulse.
Next point…When John DelRicci decided not to run for the State Rep seat Seth Kaplan was briefly considered however it was discovered that he had a Protection from Abuse order against him from his wife. Obviously no one can support a candidate with this background…therefore another person was endorsed to run for the State Rep seat. Seth felt and still does that this was all bullshit he said the record was sealed and no one would find out. Obviously that is not correct.
Ok here is the truth from someone sitting at the next table…Tonya and Mike Stack donated the food as they do every year for this event and were recognized for it by the Event people. Kevin Boyle who did not even buy a ticket for the event did not get recognized by the Event people. When he say down at Tonya Stacks table Kevin atarted complaining about not being recognized…Tonya told him to grow up and thru hom the bird…Kevin replied “Ur white trash” and at that point he got nailed by the soda he then replied ” I dont believe u did that”. Then Tonya’s security guy said it was time to go. Next I assume Kevin nowing he was wrong went to the press. And yes throwing the soda was wrong too.
Can the rest of the state secede from Philadelphia?
“What would the trooper have done if Boyle threw a drink on her?”
Bingo, Bingo. I was going to say the same thing, but maybe for a different reason…and Whistleblower hits on it. Why do ladies expect a pass on this? If she got the soda face, even if he was the one with the security detail, he’d be pilloried.
Fortunately, there’s a Zips nearby. I’m sure the Lt can swing it.
Cleaning bills? Good grief who cares women have been throwing drinks in guys faces for hundreds of years. This guys a joke.
Unsanctioned R
If the shirt (was there a sport jacket or tie as well? ) was stained, then reimbursement for a cleaning bill is pretty reasonable request.
I doubt it would get to small claims court.
If you threw a drink on the President, the Secret Service would tackle your ass and you’d be charged with everything from assault to terrorism.
What would the trooper have done if Boyle threw a drink on her?
I’m starting to see a pattern of criminal behavior on these comments. Whenever Johnny Doc and his goblins Kevin Boyle and Seth Kaplan start making fools of themselves one of them starts spreading rumors about Mike Stack. For those of you readers from outside of Philadelphia that’s an old South Philly trick. The only people going to prison will be the terrorists who performed ” night work” on the volunteer workers from the HDCC. And it all leads back to Local 98 and the Boyles who helped the GOP. Don’t believe me ask Frank Dermondy. The Boyles with Kaplans help will insure KEVIN DOUGHERTY loses because they can’t let it go. Hyenas
Don’t worry Boyle Brothers, it is only a matter of months until Mike Stack is indicted.
Does anyone give a rat’s behind about some “operative” wannabe like Seth Kaplan stink bombing others like a typical small time sore loser.
Kevin Boyle seemed like a nice guy, but now he seems like a petty rookie.
Next time Kevin, IMHO, should pass on the snarky quotes and take his own advice about acting mature.
If this act was so outrageous and horrible as Boyle made it sound, why has no other person at this event spoken out about it? I understand why the other party would stay silent, but SOMEONE there had to see it happen that would back up his story. Pretty shady imo
Just Philly trash being Philly trash. Keeping it classy at a charity event.
The smallest Boyle Brother got his butt kicked by the LG’s wife? And then runs to the papers to tell them? What a wonderful world we live in.
Shanty Irish…
My observation – These Boyle’s are too impressed with themselves.
For the State Rep. Boyle to be picking a fight with Lt. Gov. Stack may be one thing, but he resorts to picking a fight with the Lt. Gov.’s wife and then when she gives it back to you whining like a little wimp?
And who is the Seth Kaplan guy that is quoted dissing the Lt. Gov? He seems pretty proud to have played an active role in handing a Democratic Seat to the dysfunctional Philly GOP…this raises the question-are the Boyles working with the GOP? Or are they that full of themselves that they would rather take down the party if it doesn’t follow their lead? that would explain a lot, like the terrible recruiting and campaign managing that HDCC did while they were in charge of it…
Should’ve elected Leach to the Congressional seat…at least he and his family are Democrats!
This is Exactly the type of action that I like to see!
I get these catfights confused. Which one is Boyle – Alexis or Krystle?
It’s comments like that from @DavidDiano that make me appreciate his input. He may have said it tongue in cheek, but it’s not a bad parry. Filing charges would just be pulling the pin on a grenade.
Democrats, in general, are a testy bunch with perpetually ruffled feathers who like to pretend that they are civil.
I think Boyle should submit a cleaning bill to Stack’s wife. If we are lucky, this will wind up on one of those court tv shows.
Please tell me somebody got this on video!
That photo is Brendan Boyle on here who is a U.S. Congressman. I think politicspa means his brother.
I gotta say that my impression is that Kevin Boyle is acting like a twerp -first getting in Mrs. Stack’s face(for any reason)and then, going full drama queen to a reporter.
Those who resort to the “civility” condescension lectures usually are the most sleazy in politics.