Massachusetts Republican Suspends Lieutenant Governor Campaign After Arrest

Shawn Oliver, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts, suspended his campaign on Sunday, hours after his arrest in a suspected drunk-driving crash, The Guardian.

Oliver, 42, was arrested late Saturday after a crash in which a vehicle struck multiple parked vehicles before overturning. He was taken to a hospital for injuries and arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding.

In a statement shared Sunday, Oliver said, "After careful reflection, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Lieutenant Governor." He said he was ending his campaign because "the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters".

His running mate, Mike Minogue, the Republican candidate for governor, had asked Oliver to immediately suspend his campaign. Minogue said that when elected, he will formally ask for Oliver's resignation.

Oliver serves as a New Bedford city councilor and works as a corrections officer. He was elected to the council in 2023 and has been placed on restricted work duty at the Massachusetts Treatment Center while facts and circumstances are reviewed.

Minogue faces incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey on the 3 November ballot. Incumbent Kim Driscoll is the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. The arrest was first reported by The New Bedford Light.