The Massachusetts Republican ticket has been thrown into chaos just weeks before the general election after lieutenant governor nominee Shawn Oliver abruptly suspended his campaign following a late night car accident. Local authorities in New Bedford report that Oliver, who also serves as a city councilor, was arrested Saturday night after his vehicle rolled over and collided with five parked cars. While two of those vehicles were extensively damaged, officials noted that no other people were injured in the wreck.
Police arrived at the scene shortly before midnight to find Oliver’s vehicle overturned on Dartmouth Street. Following an investigation conducted both at the site and later at St. Luke’s Hospital where he was treated for injuries, officers charged the forty two year old politician with operating under the influence of liquor, speeding, a marked lanes violation, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
The fallout was immediate within his own party. Gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue expressed deep disappointment and publicly demanded that Oliver step aside, stating there is no excuse for driving under the influence. Minogue told followers on social media that he spoke with Oliver personally before calling for the suspension of his campaign, adding that should they prevail in the election regardless of these events, he would formally seek Oliver’s resignation from any appointed role.
In a brief statement shared on X, Oliver confirmed he was suspending his run for office to avoid letting personal matters overshadow an election he described as too important to be distracted. Meanwhile, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell echoed concerns over the incident and called for more transparency regarding what led to the crash. Beyond the political sphere, the Massachusetts Department of Correction has placed Oliver on restricted work duty pending further review of the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
