Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Steve Kerrigan has been placed on probation after admitting to sufficient facts in a drunken driving case stemming from a June traffic stop. A judge continued the operating under the influence (OUI) charge without a finding on June 15, two days after Kerrigan was pulled over.
Kerrigan, 54, also faced charges for negligent operation and a marked lanes violation. The negligent operation charge was dismissed, and he was found not responsible for the marked lanes violation. The judge sentenced Kerrigan to one year of probation, suspended his driver's license for 45 days, ordered him to pay $600 in fees, and mandated completion of an impaired driving education program.
According to a Southborough Police Department report, an officer stopped Kerrigan shortly after midnight on June 13 after observing his BMW swerving over the lane divider. The officer noted Kerrigan's eyes appeared glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slow and slurred. The report also stated that an "overwhelming odor of cologne" prevented the officer from detecting alcohol.
Kerrigan told the officer he was driving home from a restaurant and had consumed two beers around 6 p.m. before dinner. Field sobriety tests were administered, and a breath sample registered a blood alcohol content of 0.089%, which is just above Massachusetts' legal limit of 0.08%.
In a statement provided to Boston.com through his attorney, Kerrigan acknowledged the incident. "In June, I was pulled over for a marked lanes violation and blew a .089 on the breathalyzer," Kerrigan said. "I regret and take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences and appreciate the Southborough Police Department and the Westborough Court for their professionalism and service."
Kerrigan was elected chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party in 2023. He previously served as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014 and worked with the Democratic National Convention Committee. He also holds the position of president and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center.