Massachusetts GOP ticket rocked by alleged drunken crash as candidate abruptly halts campaign
New Bedford city councilor and Republican nominee for lieutenant governor Shawn Oliver announced on Sunday that he was suspending his campaign after a nighttime rollover accident in which he was arrested for driving under the influence.
Oliver, 42, was driving his vehicle near 448 Dartmouth Street in New Bedford’s South End when, according to police, it rolled over after striking several parked cars. The crash, which occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, left five parked vehicles damaged, with two suffering extensive damage. Oliver sustained injuries that required transport to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he received treatment.
New Bedford police investigated the scene and at the hospital. Officers arrested Oliver and charged him with operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding. He was placed on restricted work duty by the Massachusetts Department of Correction, where he is employed, and is currently assigned to the Massachusetts Treatment Center.
“Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt,” Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue said in a post on X. “There is no excuse for driving under the influence.” Minogue added that he had spoken with Oliver before calling for a suspension of his campaign and that, if elected, he would formally ask for Oliver’s resignation.
Oliver confirmed the campaign pause on X, stating that “the election is too important to be oversaw by personal matters.” He said he was “ready to put the matter behind him and focus on the upcoming election.”
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell also weighed in. “This morning, I was made aware that City Councilor Shawn Oliver was involved in a car accident in the South End and taken into custody,” Mitchell said in a Facebook post. “I’m grateful to the New Bedford Police Department for their prompt response and relieved that no one was seriously injured.” He urged Oliver to publicly address the incident, saying, “The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened.”
The crash and Oliver’s subsequent suspension come just weeks before the November election, in which Republican Mike Minogue will face Democratic incumbent Governor Maura Healey and Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Kim Driscoll seeks re‑election.
Minogue’s statement also included a broader political critique, stating, “As governor, I will put the Commonwealth first. That starts with accountability, something Massachusetts has not seen from Maura Healey.” He emphasized family responsibilities, saying, “Shawn is a father and grandfather, and he needs to put his family first. He needs to do the work to ensure this never happens again. If he needs help with that, I will help him.”
The Massachusetts Department of Correction confirmed that Oliver will remain on restricted duty while all facts and circumstances are reviewed. The incident has left both the local community and state political scene grappling with questions of accountability and the timing of the legal and political fallout.
