Attorney Elizabeth M. Boyle files to run against Judge Scott Brownell for his seat

SARASOTA -- Elizabeth M. Boyle, a private attorney and the wife of former Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski, filed Tuesday to run against incumbent Circuit Court Judge Scott Brownell for his seat in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court.

"I felt this is the next step in my career," said the 57-year-old Sarasota resident. "I was raised in a family that taught me that I should respect everyone, no matter what their background was, and I think that my attitude toward other people will make me a good and patient judge. ... I think it's very important for judges to be patient when they're dealing with people who come to court for justice."

Boyle owns the Sarasota-based Law Firm of McDonald & Boyle, a practice she once ran alongside her law partner, Jim McDonald, before he passed away. She is also a contractor with the state and works on dependency cases through the Office of Regional Counsel.

"It's about justice and it's about due process and it's about equal access to the courts. I've been practicing law for almost 33 years and I've practiced in a lot of different jurisdictions," Boyle said, adding she's licensed and in good standing in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi and Florida. "I feel that I can make a very significant contribution to the citizens of this area as a sitting judge."

Asked if she knows Brownell, Boyle said she has been practicing in his court on an almost daily basis for the last two years.

A message left Tuesday for Brownell was not immediately returned.

Radzilowski said his wife has wanted to run for judge for years. He described her as a real crusader.

"I kept pushing her to wait till I retire. I didn't want to give anybody the impression that they were not getting a fair shake with her on the bench, and with me being the active police chief," the 65-year-old said. "Not that that would happen, but I didn't want to give anybody any impression that the scales of justice were tilted against them."

The former police chief said he supports his wife's decision 100 percent.

"After all, she supported me for more than 13 years as police chief, coming in on weekends and leaving at night when you had murders and serious things," he said. "She supported me. ... Now it's my turn to support her."

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 11:17 PM with the headline "Attorney Elizabeth M. Boyle files to run against Judge Scott Brownell for his seat ."