James Boyle (Maine politician)

James 'Jim' A. 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. He is running for Governor of Maine in the 2018 election.[1] He owns Boyle Associates Environmental Consultants and Avant Dance & Event Center.[2]

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.[3]

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.[4]

He earned a B.S. in forest management from the University of Maine in 1981.[2]