* There were a ton of cops outside JP Kelly’s when I drove by last night, but I was running late for a meeting and couldn’t stop…



Late last night, Springfield police arrested and charged @RodneyDavis’ field director Levi Lovell with aggravated battery. He’s still behind bars this morning. Multiple witnesses told me he shouted in @BetsyforIL’s face and punch someone at her campaign event at JP Kelly’s. — Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 16, 2018 Mug shot of @RodneyDavis’ field director Levi Lovell arrested for aggravated assault. @WCIA3 has obtained video of the incident. Lovell chased @BetsyforIL & her husband around the bar asking menacing questions until he was asked to leave. That’s when he started throwing punches. pic.twitter.com/kviFvJj6zi — Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 16, 2018

“@BetsyforIL” is, of course, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, Congressman Davis’ Democratic opponent. I’m told her husband was pushed.

I’ll post the video when it’s available.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Oh, man, this is so bad…



Video shows a drunk, belligerent Levi Lovell pestering @BetsyforIL and her husband at a campaign fundraiser. Bartenders and staff asked him to leave. He trolls them as “discriminating” against him because he’s black. View is obstructed, but it appears at least one punch landed. pic.twitter.com/eNgIVxkLxe — Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 16, 2018 Pushing and shoving continues outside where @RodneyDavis’ field director demands to be allowed back inside. Perhaps ironically, this is precisely the sort of hooligan Davis says would upstage a town hall if he ever held one. Lovell previously interned for @RepShimkus, @GovRauner. pic.twitter.com/E1O0kWSGtL — Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) August 16, 2018

Rodney needs to issue a statement now.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From Congressman Davis’ campaign…

Hey Rich - here is a statement from Matt Butcher, Campaign Manager. Would appreciate you posting. “As soon as I was made aware of the incident, his employment was immediately terminated. This campaign has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or violence of any kind.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** I’ve asked for a statement from the congressman himself.

Pantagraph…

Dirksen Londrigan issued the following statement: “I’m relieved that my family, staff, and supporters are all OK and that this incident didn’t escalate even further. “I am disturbed that someone would show up to an event and try to harass and intimidate me and my family, but he is sorely mistaken if he thinks that it is going to slow me down one bit. “Nasty, divisive politics do nothing for our community. I will continue to hold public town halls, campaign with civility, and show this office and voters the respect they deserve.” Her campaign manager, Emma Brown, said it was clear that Davis is worried about re-election, but that is no excuse for the behavior of his staff. “Rodney needs to answer very clearly whether he or his campaign were aware of what this young man planned to do or even directed him to attend the event and try to intimidate Betsy, her family, and her supporters,” Brown said.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Rep. Rodney Davis himself…

My sincerest apologies to Betsy, her husband Tom, and everyone at JP Kelly’s. The incident involving a young field representative on my campaign should have never happened and his employment was immediately terminated. His actions go against everything I stand for and go directly against what I have been promoting, which is more civility in politics. This kind of behavior will never be tolerated on my campaign or with anyone on my staff.

*** UPDATE 5 *** SJ-R…