Massachusetts Republican lieutenant governor candidate suspends campaign after DUI arrest

Shawn Oliver, a New Bedford City Council member and Massachusetts Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign on October 18, 2026, after being arrested for operating under the influence. Police stated Oliver struck five parked vehicles and overturned his SUV on Dartmouth Street late Saturday. Running mate Mike Minogue demanded Oliver's immediate suspension, leading Oliver to bow out of the race.

Shawn Oliver's campaign suspension

• ▪Shawn Oliver requested privacy for his family and expressed gratitude to his supporters while announcing the suspension of his lieutenant governor campaign
• ▪On October 18, 2026, Shawn Oliver announced the suspension of his campaign for Massachusetts lieutenant governor, stating that the election was too important to be overshadowed by personal matters

Details of the car crash

• ▪On October 17, 2026, around 11:40 p.m., Massachusetts Republican lieutenant governor candidate Shawn Oliver overturned his SUV on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford after striking five parked vehicles
• ▪A crash on October 17, 2026 involving Shawn Oliver on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, left two of the five struck parked cars extensively damaged

Arrest and legal charges

• ▪Shawn Oliver was booked into the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford before 7:00 a.m. and released from custody at around 9:30 a.m. on October 18, 2026
• ▪Shawn Oliver was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford for treatment following his October 17, 2026 car crash before being arrested
• ▪New Bedford police charged Shawn Oliver with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding

Mike Minogue's response

• ▪Following Shawn Oliver's October 17, 2026 crash, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue called on Shawn Oliver to suspend his lieutenant governor campaign immediately
• ▪Mike Minogue stated that he was extremely disappointed by Shawn Oliver's Saturday night crash in New Bedford, noted that Shawn Oliver was lucky no innocent person was hurt, and pledged to request Shawn Oliver's formal resignation if elected governor

MassGOP chairwoman's response

• ▪Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale issued a statement supporting Shawn Oliver's decision to suspend his campaign, noting that lives were put at risk in the October 17, 2026 crash
• ▪Early on October 18, 2026, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale stated the Massachusetts Republican Party was awaiting additional information after learning about Shawn Oliver's car accident

Democratic responses

• ▪A spokesperson for incumbent Democratic Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stated that they had no comment regarding Shawn Oliver's October 17, 2026 arrest
• ▪New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell called the October 17, 2026 drunk driving allegations against Shawn Oliver deeply concerning and stated that the public deserves to hear an explanation

Shawn Oliver's political background

• ▪Shawn Oliver serves as a New Bedford City Council member representing Ward 3
• ▪Shawn Oliver ran on the Massachusetts Republican ticket for lieutenant governor alongside gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue against incumbent Democrats Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll