‘Payaso’ turns run into political circus
At-large candidate unmasked as builder Kevin McCrea
Hillary Chabot, Dan Atkinson, Matt Stout
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
The mysterious clown running for City Council has been
unmasked as former mayoral candidate and Hub developer Kevin McCrea —
and he’s loaned his campaign $1 million of his own money to bankroll his
candidacy.
McCrea legally changed his name to Pat Payaso — “payaso” is Spanish for “clown” — at a New Orleans district court in February, according to documents filed with Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin.
“It is the name I work and go by in the GLBT-QEC community,” wrote McCrea on his petition filed in a Louisiana courthouse to legally change his name to “Pat Payaso.” A Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman confirmed McCrea had changed his name, but said privacy laws prevent the RMV from revealing the new moniker.
According to state records, Payaso has opened two bank accounts for campaign financing as he runs for an at-large council seat. And last week, he loaned his campaign $1 million to take on the four incumbent at-large councilors as well as three other challengers this November.
In interviews, Payaso has shown up in clown makeup and garb, refusing to answer questions verbally, instead relying on gestures and props. McCrea declined to comment on his new identity last night, backing out of an interview with Herald reporters.
But he did send a 22-item screed detailing his campaign priorities, which include slashing government waste with a new school busing plan and a cracking down on no-show city jobs. Along with his support for a transparent bidding process for city developments and a clean and accessible subway system, Payaso included a bizarre challenge to Herald columnist Howie Carr.
“I would personally pay a long weekend for Howie Carr and his wife to visit Mexico City and compare the subway there and the subway in Boston,” wrote Payaso, adding that Carr must write a balanced column about the trip in exchange.
McCrea has run colorful and expensive campaigns before. In a 2005 at-large council race, he had loaned his campaign $500,000 and dubbed himself the “Motorcycle Guy,” promising to put the party back into party politics. He then ran for mayor in 2009 campaigning on “truth, justice and the American way.”
But one city councilor isn’t laughing at this latest stunt.
“I am a little offended personally that Pat is in the race sort of making a mockery of the process, because the process is so important,” Annissa Essaibi George, an at-large city councilor, told Herald Radio yesterday, adding that she hasn’t seen Payaso on the campaign trail like the other candidates.
“There is so much work to be done and the work has to be taken seriously and in return the candidates have to be serious,” she added. “I just hope he can add to the conversation and be a legitimate part of this process.”
McCrea legally changed his name to Pat Payaso — “payaso” is Spanish for “clown” — at a New Orleans district court in February, according to documents filed with Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin.
“It is the name I work and go by in the GLBT-QEC community,” wrote McCrea on his petition filed in a Louisiana courthouse to legally change his name to “Pat Payaso.” A Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman confirmed McCrea had changed his name, but said privacy laws prevent the RMV from revealing the new moniker.
According to state records, Payaso has opened two bank accounts for campaign financing as he runs for an at-large council seat. And last week, he loaned his campaign $1 million to take on the four incumbent at-large councilors as well as three other challengers this November.
In interviews, Payaso has shown up in clown makeup and garb, refusing to answer questions verbally, instead relying on gestures and props. McCrea declined to comment on his new identity last night, backing out of an interview with Herald reporters.
But he did send a 22-item screed detailing his campaign priorities, which include slashing government waste with a new school busing plan and a cracking down on no-show city jobs. Along with his support for a transparent bidding process for city developments and a clean and accessible subway system, Payaso included a bizarre challenge to Herald columnist Howie Carr.
“I would personally pay a long weekend for Howie Carr and his wife to visit Mexico City and compare the subway there and the subway in Boston,” wrote Payaso, adding that Carr must write a balanced column about the trip in exchange.
McCrea has run colorful and expensive campaigns before. In a 2005 at-large council race, he had loaned his campaign $500,000 and dubbed himself the “Motorcycle Guy,” promising to put the party back into party politics. He then ran for mayor in 2009 campaigning on “truth, justice and the American way.”
But one city councilor isn’t laughing at this latest stunt.
“I am a little offended personally that Pat is in the race sort of making a mockery of the process, because the process is so important,” Annissa Essaibi George, an at-large city councilor, told Herald Radio yesterday, adding that she hasn’t seen Payaso on the campaign trail like the other candidates.
“There is so much work to be done and the work has to be taken seriously and in return the candidates have to be serious,” she added. “I just hope he can add to the conversation and be a legitimate part of this process.”
Do you think this guy would take a job as our TA ? Maybe he could use some money to open a circus. Oh yes, I forgot we already have one of those in beautiful ET. Pay our bills ! What the hell ? Just what we need, a bad name !
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