DV Journal

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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Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner will not seek the death penalty against the man accused of murdering Temple University officer Chris “Fitz” Fitzgerald.

Aizaz Gill, a Republican running for state representative in the Philadelphia/Montgomery County district now held by Rep. Kevin Boyle, is outraged and wants the state to act. He’s calling on the state Senate to move forward with its impeachment trial for Krasner, and for the state to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the case who will seek the death penalty.

The Fitzgerald family has also asked for the death penalty in the case and, if necessary, a special prosecutor to pursue it.

Krasner’s impeachment remains on hold pending an appeal to the state Supreme Court. And even if another prosecutor took the case, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is continuing a moratorium on the death penalty begun by his predecessor former Gov. Tom Wolf (D), a pledge he made during the 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Shapiro has also asked the legislature to repeal the state’s death penalty law.

“How many more examples of Larry Krasner’s pro-criminal, soft-on-crime agenda do we need until our State senators do the right thing and put the safety of Philadelphia families first? There are no more excuses they can give for not moving forward on impeaching Larry Krasner,” said Gill.

Fitzgerald, 31, was gunned down near campus on Feb. 18, 2023, allegedly by Bucks County teenager Miles Pfeffer, 19, while investigating a robbery.

“Krasner’s latest failure to stand up to a cop-killing criminal is more proof he needs to be impeached if we want to make Philadelphia safe,” Gill said. “Every police officer, every citizen deserves to know that our district attorney is on their side. But it is now more clear than ever that Larry Krasner is not. Since he continues to refuse to do his job or quit, it is time for action on impeachment.”

Gill’s Democratic opponent Sean Dougherty defeated Boyle in the May primary. He says he “grew up and personally knew Officer Fitzgerald since childhood. He lived right next door to my best friend. I attended his viewing. I stand with Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald. Family is everything. As a practicing attorney, I stand by the law.”

Asked to comment on Gill’s remarks, Krasner’s spokesman, Dustin Slaughter, said, “We’re not going to comment on individuals who are taking advantage of a family’s grief for political opportunism.”

Asked about the reasoning behind the decision not to seek the death penalty since killing a police officer is an aggravating factor for that ultimate punishment, Slaughter said, “This decision was made after extensive input over many hours from the family of Officer Fitzgerald and from experts. The members of the District Attorney’s Office (DAO) committee that considers possible death penalty matters include attorneys with a cumulative total of hundreds of years of homicide and other criminal trial and appeal experience. They reviewed all aspects of the case itself and all obtainable information on the defendant prior to making their recommendations to DA Krasner, who made the final determination.

“The input of the family is deeply appreciated and was carefully considered by the committee and DA Krasner prior to his decision. The DAO looks forward to continuing to support the family’s needs and to vigorously prosecuting this terrible murder.”

The Temple University Police Association posted to X, “The embarrassment of District Attorney Larry Krasner, will NOT seek the death penalty in the murder case of our hero, Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald. Absolutely devastating news for the Fitzgerald family and law enforcement officers throughout Philadelphia. To the Fitzgeralds, we stand with you now and forever. We love you.”

Gill called for the Fitzgerald case to be taken over by recently appointed Special Prosecutor Michael Untermeyer.

“Larry Krasner continues to defy common sense and common decency. His refusal to even meet with Officer Fitzgerald’s family proves he is following a political agenda instead of being a prosecutor. This case would be better served by the Special Prosecutor, and the Attorney General’s Office should take it over now,” Gill said.

Officer Fitzgerald was murdered within 500 feet of a SEPTA location, and under a recently passed law, the state attorney general has the power to prosecute crimes on SEPTA properties. Untermeyer is the prosecutor named by the attorney general to handle these cases.

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Just a day after his fellow Democrats sought to create a special committee to oust “members unfit to serve” from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Philadelphia Rep. Kevin Boyle exchanged text messages with a local TV news reporter.

Boyle has been missing, and a warrant for his arrest was issued a week before the April 23 primary.

Then, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner rescinded the warrant the day before the primary, saying there was a mistake. Boyle had not violated a protection from abuse order after all since no PFA was in place.

Thursday, Boyle, 44, whose location remains a mystery, exchanged text messages with ABC27 reporter Dennis Owens.

“The 2024 Democratic primary in the 172nd was despicable on the part of law enforcement,” Boyle told Owens. He lost the primary to Sean Dougherty, a lawyer and the son of state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty and the nephew of embattled labor leader Johnny “Doc” Dougherty. Just before the primary, Dougherty’s campaign ran repeated television commercials bashing Boyle for the alleged PFA violation.

The state Democratic Committee backed Dougherty against Boyle, who was seeking his eighth term in the House.

Boyle gave Owens records of an expungement of his previous conviction.

“I wouldn’t have lost if rules had been followed and law enforcement had not played politics with a phony investigation about a nonexistent PFA which had already been expunged from my record,” Boyle texted.

And Boyle seemed bitter in this text: “America is not a banana republic. Elections and politics can never be the deciding factor behind why “investigations” are started by law enforcement. It’s despicable that any law enforcement official would spread a rumor about me being ‘investigated’ or about to be ‘arrested’ to advance a political goal.”

On Monday, House GOP leaders held a press conference, saying they had sent a letter to Attorney General Michelle Henry and asked her to investigate Krasner’s handling of the Boyle arrest warrant. Previously, the House voted to impeach Krasner, but Krasner appealed to the Commonwealth Court, which dismissed some of the charges. The House impeachment managers then appealed to the state Supreme Court, which has not ruled.

Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) declined to comment on the new development in the Kevin Boyle saga Thursday evening. Democratic Leader Matt Bradford (D-Norristown) did not respond to a request for comment.

Boyle, whose brother, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, represents northeast Philadelphia in Congress, has spoken about Kevin Boyle’s mental health issues in the past. In February, Kevin Boyle caused a fracas at a bar in Rockledge. No charges were filed.

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