Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Candidate Drops Out After DUI Arrest

Shawn Oliver, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts, has suspended his campaign following his arrest late Saturday in connection with a suspected drunk driving crash.

Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor and corrections officer, announced his decision in a post on X, stating that he was ending his campaign because "the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters.”

His running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, had asked Oliver to immediately suspend his campaign, adding that "when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation.” Minogue expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that "There is no excuse for driving under the influence.”

According to police, Oliver, 42, was arrested after being involved in a crash that resulted in a vehicle striking multiple parked cars before overturning. He was taken to a hospital for injuries and subsequently arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding. The arrest was first reported by The New Bedford Light.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, a Democrat, described the allegations as “deeply concerning” and stated that the public deserves an explanation from Oliver.

Oliver was elected to the city council in 2023. Minogue, a businessman and military veteran, is running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in the November election. The incumbent Democratic lieutenant governor is Kim Driscoll.

The lieutenant governor's role in Massachusetts is largely ceremonial, but the officeholder is next in line to succeed the governor. Oliver has been placed on restricted work duty at his job at the Massachusetts Treatment Center pending a review of the incident, according to a spokesperson for the state's Department of Correction.