James Boyle (Maine politician)

James Allen Boyle (born August 19, 1958) is an American businessperson and politician from Maine. Boyle served as a Democratic State Senator from Maine's 6th District, representing Scarborough, Westbrook and his residence of Gorham from 2012 to 2014. Boyle was a candidate in the January 2022 special election for Maine House District 27, which he won.[1] He ran for Governor of Maine in the 2018 election but dropped out before the Democratic primary.[2] He owns Boyle Associates Environmental Consultants and Avant Dance & Event Center.[3]

Jim Boyle
Member of the Maine House of Representatives
Assumed office
December 7, 2022
Preceded byBruce A. White
Constituency109th district
In office
January 18, 2022 – December 7, 2022
Preceded byKyle Bailey
Succeeded byGary Drinkwater
Constituency27th district
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 6th district
In office
December 5, 2012 – December 3, 2014
Preceded byPhil Bartlett
Succeeded byAmy Volk
Personal details
Born (1958-08-19) August 19, 1958 (age 65)
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Maine (BS)
ProfessionBusinessperson, politician

Boyle, who ran as a privately funded candidate, defeated State Representative Tim Driscoll in the Democratic Primary for the District 6 Senate seat. The seat had been held by Phil Bartlett, who was unable to run for re-election due to term limits. In the general election, he beat Ruth Summers, wife of Maine Secretary of State Charlie Summers.[4]

In 2014, Representative Amy Volk (R-Scarborough) defeated Boyle by a margin of approximately 900 votes in the November 2014 general election. The Volk-Boyle race was one of the state's most watched contests. Over $330,000 was spent by outside groups in the race. Boyle lost despite approximately two-thirds of the outside spending seeking to benefit Boyle.[5]

He earned a B.S. in forest management from the University of Maine in 1981.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Gorham Times Staff. "Kyle Bailey Resigns, Jim Boyle Announces Candidacy - the Gorham Times". Gorham Times. Gorham Times. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  2. ^ Cousins, Christopher (July 19, 2017). "Former state senator becomes sixth candidate in 2018 Democratic primary for governor". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Senator James Boyle Biography - Project Vote Smart". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  4. ^ Harry, David (November 6, 2012). "Boyle loses in Scarborough, buts wins Maine Senate District 6". The Forecaster. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  5. ^ Hall, William (November 7, 2014). "Republican Volk to move from House to Senate in battleground southern Maine district". The Forecaster. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 22 November 2014.