If control of the Pennsylvania House comes down to a single seat, could that seat by in the city of Philadelphia?
Republicans see an opportunity to flip Philadelphia’s 172nd, a seat that Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Philadelphia) now holds. However, Boyle, who suffered various personal woes, lost the April primary to Sean Dougherty, the scion of a well-known Philadelphia political clan. His dad is Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty, and his uncle is recently-convicted labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty.
Aizaz Gill, 31, the enthusiastic and community-minded president of the Burholme Town Watch and Civic Association, is the Republican candidate.
Gill believes the northeast Philadelphia district could be a GOP pick up, noting Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) is in the adjacent district and the 172nd is represented on the city council by Republican Brian O’Neill.
Sean Dougherty
The son of immigrants, Gill says he’s “seen the American Dream firsthand.”
“I love my community and want to give back for everything it’s given me,” said Gill, a political consultant.
“I first started thinking about running, the thought crossed my mind, when back in December 2022, the House of Representatives had a vote to impeach [Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner]. And our representative, Kevin Boyle, did not vote yes or no. He took a political dive on this very important issue.”
The neighborhood has seen crime increase since Krasner, a progressive, took over as DA and “if you look at northeast Philadelphia, it is overwhelmingly against Krasner,” said Gill. I thought, ‘This guy can’t be bothered to represent us.’ Why do we continue voting this guy back in?”
“The epidemic of crime is the biggest issue facing the city,” said Gill. Krasner’s policies “have been a disaster. More than 500 homicides in 2021, more than 500 homicides in 2022, more than 400 in 2023.” Philadelphia has 1.5 million people to New York’s 8.26 million but “their homicide numbers are much lower.”
Krasner refused to pursue the death penalty against the man accused of killing Temple University Officer Chris Fitzgerald, which further incensed Gill.
“I would make it a priority to impeach Krasner and make our neighborhood safe again,” he said. Another disturbing recent act was Hamas-related graffiti vandalism on the World War I memorial.
“We were out there front and center helping to clean that off,” he said. Things like this “never used to happen in the Northeast.”
J. Matthew Wolfe, Republican Ward Leader in Philadelphia’s 27th Ward, praised Gill during a podcast interview with DVJournal.
“He is a tough, hardworking guy,” said Wolfe. He knows that district. e went to St. Cecelia’s grade school and Father Judge High School. e’s been there his entire life since he immigrated here from Pakistan when he was 9 years old. Nobody is going to outwork Aizaz Gill… He’s raising money. e’s working hard.”
Sean Dougherty did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
“Dougherty is the handpicked candidate of the Democratic machine in Philadelphia and Harrisburg,” said Gill. He’s part of a political dynasty whose policies have gotten Philadelphia into this [situation] in the first place, right? And the Harrisburg bosses have already spent $300,000 on him. He’ll just be the next generation worried about acquiring power instead of helping people.”
“The city’s been controlled by Democrats for more than 72 years, including the Dougherty [family]. Some of his relatives were the ultimate political kingmakers.”
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