Since 2020, State Representative Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate) has spent more than $33,000 in campaign funds at bars and restaurants: a level of spending far beyond that of any other South Shore legislator.
According to data from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF), 34 percent of all expenditures made by Kearney’s campaign committee have gone to food and drink establishments in Scituate, Boston, and other locations across Massachusetts and the country. That total is more than three times the amount spent by fellow South Shore representatives Josh Cutler, Joan Meschino, and David DeCoste. It's also more than double the restaurant spending of Weymouth Senator Patrick O’Connor, despite the fact that O’Connor represents nearly 160,000 constituents across seven communities, while Kearney represents about 40,000 residents in parts of Scituate, Marshfield, and Norwell.
Kearney’s campaign spending includes thousands of dollars at Boston-area venues frequented by lawmakers. His reports show $2,441 spent at Lucy’s American Tavern in Dorchester and $2,168 at Massimo’s, a restaurant in the North End. He spent $1,510 at the upscale Beacon Hill steakhouse Mooo and $1,343 at the 21st Amendment, a bar located directly across the street from the Massachusetts State House. These totals reflect cumulative spending across multiple visits during the period reviewed.
The 21st Amendment is a popular watering hole for legislators. Politicians have spent more than $123,000 in campaign funds there alone since 2020, according to data from OCPF. They also spent more than $236,000 at nearby Carrie Nation and $153,000 at Emmet's Irish Pub over the same period of time.
Kearney says it's all part of the job.
"Like many public officials and professionals, I regularly meet with constituents, colleagues, and policy stakeholders in settings that include meals or informal gatherings both at the State House and in my district," he said in a statement.
Under Massachusetts law, “expenditures by a candidate or a committee organized on behalf of a candidate may be made for the enhancement of the political future of the candidate so long as such expenditure is not primarily for the candidate's or any person's personal use.”
Candidates are also required to include the purpose of each expenditure in their campaign finance reports. However, that information is self-reported and often vague. For instance, one of Kearney’s charges at Landmark Public House in Dorchester was categorized as a “Boston Tax Policy Discussion.” A visit to the 21st Amendment was described as “End of session policy discussion.”
While legislators are allowed to use campaign funds for legitimate political meetings, there is no requirement to disclose who attended or what was paid for.
"Massachusetts has some of the most rigorous campaign finance transparency laws in the country, and I strongly support them," Kearney said. "Additionally, I voted to require monthly reporting so that the public can clearly track how campaign funds are being used."