Massachusetts GOP Lieutenant Governor Candidate Shawn Oliver Exits Race After Drunk Driving Arrest
Shawn Oliver withdraws from the Massachusetts lieutenant governor race following a weekend drunk driving crash and vehicle rollover. Read the full update.
POLICY WIRE — Boston, United States — The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts officially ended his campaign on Sunday, just hours after his arrest following a suspected driving under the influence crash.
Shawn Oliver, who serves as a New Bedford city councilor and corrections officer, announced his withdrawal on the social media platform X, stating that the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters.
His gubernatorial running mate, Republican candidate Mike Minogue, immediately urged Oliver to suspend his bid and stated online that when elected, he will formally ask for his resignation.
Expressing deep disappointment, Minogue emphasized on X that there is no excuse for driving under the influence.
According to law enforcement authorities, the 42-year-old politician was taken into custody late Saturday after his vehicle collided with parked automobiles and turned completely upside down.
Police spokesperson Holly Huntoon confirmed via email that Oliver was hospitalized for his injuries before facing charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation, marked lanes violation, and speeding. The arrest was initially uncovered and reported by The New Bedford Light.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, a Democrat, publicly addressed the incident by calling the accusations deeply concerning and asserting that the public deserves to hear directly from Oliver.
A phone message requesting comment was directed to Oliver, a resident of the coastal city of 100,000 residents located 60 miles south of Boston who won election to the municipal council in 2023.
Minogue, a corporate executive and military veteran, is scheduled to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey in November, with incumbent Kim Driscoll running as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.
Although the lieutenant governor post in Massachusetts functions primarily as a ceremonial role, the official maintains constitutional priority to assume the governorship if the sitting governor steps down or passes away.
Meanwhile, state Department of Correction spokesperson Lindsay Corcoran announced that Oliver has been reassigned to restricted work duties at the Massachusetts Treatment Center while all facts and circumstances are reviewed. The facility is responsible for housing sex offenders and civilly committed individuals.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
