Massachusetts GOP Lieutenant Governor Nominee Suspends Campaign After Arrest in Rollover Crash
Shawn Oliver, a New Bedford councilor, was charged with drunk driving after a crash that hit five parked cars. Gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue called on him to step aside, and he did.
Massachusetts Republicans lost their candidate for lieutenant governor on Sunday, weeks before Election Day.
Shawn Oliver, 42, the party's nominee and a New Bedford city councilor, suspended his campaign after police arrested him following a rollover crash late Saturday. Fox News Digital reports that New Bedford police responded at about 11:40 p.m. to 448 Dartmouth St., where a vehicle had overturned after hitting multiple parked vehicles. Five parked vehicles were involved, and two had extensive damage. Police identified Oliver as the driver. He was treated at St. Luke's Hospital.
After an investigation at the scene and the hospital, police charged him with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding. These are charges, not convictions.
The party's response. Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue, a businessman and military veteran challenging Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, posted on X that he was "extremely disappointed." He wrote that Oliver is "lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt" and that "there is no excuse for driving under the influence." After speaking with Oliver, Minogue asked him to suspend his campaign immediately and said that if elected he would formally ask for his resignation. Minogue also urged Oliver to put his family first and offered to help.
Oliver confirmed on X that he was stepping aside, writing that "the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters."
Other reactions. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, a Democrat, said he was relieved no one was seriously injured and said the public "deserves to hear his explanation." The Massachusetts Department of Correction, where Oliver works, told Fox that he has been placed on restricted work duty while the facts are reviewed.
Minogue used the moment to hit his opponent, saying that as governor he would restore "accountability, something Massachusetts has not seen from Maura Healey." Democratic Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is seeking another term.
What we do not know. The material we read does not say who will replace Oliver on the ballot or whether he has responded to the charges in court.