After suspected drunk driving crash arrest, Massachusetts GOP candidate Shawn Oliver suspends lieutenant governor campaign
Campaign ends after arrest
Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor and corrections officer, announced on X that he was ending his campaign Sunday, hours after his arrest. He said the election was too important to be overshadowed by personal matters.
His running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, said he had asked Oliver to suspend the campaign immediately. Minogue also said he would formally seek Oliver’s resignation if elected, and called the allegations deeply disappointing.
Police describe Saturday crash
Police said Oliver, 42, was involved in a crash late Saturday in which a vehicle struck multiple parked cars before overturning. He was taken to a hospital for injuries and arrested afterward.
Officials respond to allegations
Oliver was elected to the city council in 2023. He was born and raised in New Bedford, a city of 100,000 people about 60 miles south of Boston.
Key points
- Oliver ended his Massachusetts lieutenant governor campaign Sunday after his arrest.
- Police said a vehicle struck multiple parked cars and overturned late Saturday.
- Oliver was arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence and other offenses.
- He is on restricted work duty while the circumstances are reviewed.