Massachusetts Republican Shawn Oliver suspended his lieutenant governor campaign after a New Bedford crash and drunk-driving arrest, a step his running mate had already demanded as early voting began.
Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, said Sunday he was suspending his campaign after police arrested him overnight following a crash in New Bedford.
ABC News reported the 42-year-old was charged with operating under the influence of liquor and related traffic offenses after his vehicle overturned. The arrest came within 24 hours of the start of early voting in the state.
Oliver’s running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, called for him to step aside shortly after news of the arrest became public. Oliver then posted a campaign statement ending his bid.
New Bedford police described a serious scene. Officers responded around 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, to a reported motor vehicle crash on Dartmouth Street.
Police said the vehicle had overturned after striking multiple parked cars.
"Around 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, officers responded to 448 Dartmouth St. for a reported motor vehicle crash involving a vehicle that had overturned after striking multiple parked vehicles,"
the department stated. Five parked vehicles were involved. Two sustained extensive damage.
Oliver was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment of his injuries. After an investigation at the scene and the hospital, officers placed him under arrest.
"Following an investigation at the scene and hospital, Oliver was placed under arrest and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding."
That is the full slate of charges police listed. The department identified him as the operator, age 42.
Minogue did not wait. Once the arrest became public, the gubernatorial candidate called for his running mate to suspend the lieutenant governor campaign. Oliver had experience working as a correctional officer and had appeared in a lieutenant governor debate only days earlier, on Oct. 13.
On Sunday his campaign posted a statement on social media making the break official.
"After careful reflection, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Lieutenant Governor,"
Oliver said. He added a further note on timing and family:
“This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters. I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey and ask that my family's privacy be respected during this difficult time,”
ABC News reached out to the campaign for additional comment beyond that statement.
The timing left little room for damage control. The arrest landed inside the first day of early voting in Massachusetts, turning a ticket problem into an immediate ballot problem for Republicans trying to compete statewide.
Police have not publicly detailed the extent of Oliver’s injuries in the material reported, and no other injuries were described. Disposition after the arrest, booking, bail, or custody status, was not included in the initial account. What was clear was the charge list, the damaged cars, the hospital transport, and the quick end of the campaign.
Voters expect candidates who enforce the law, or who ask for the chance to help run a state, to meet a basic standard on the road. When that standard collapses into a multi-car crash and an OUI charge, stepping aside is the minimum act of responsibility, not a favor to the party.
