Katie Castellani
State House News Service
Shawn Oliver, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, has suspended his campaign hours after he was arrested on a charge of operating under the influence late Saturday night.
“After careful reflection, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Lieutenant Governor,” Oliver, a New Bedford City Councilor, said in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon. “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.”
A few hours earlier, Mike Minogue, GOP gubernatorial candidate and Oliver’s running mate, called on Oliver to suspend his campaign.
“I am extremely disappointed,” Minogue said in a statement released at approximately 11:30 a.m. “Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence.”
In a statement released on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party, MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale said the group supports Oliver’s decision to suspend his campaign.
"Lives were put at risk and that is never acceptable. We now stand to assist Shawn in getting any help he needs to ensure he never puts himself or others in harm’s way again,” Carnevale said. "We also recognize that Shawn Oliver is holding himself accountable for his actions and facing the consequences of this situation."
At around 11:40 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a reported vehicle crash involving one that had overturned after hitting multiple parked vehicles, Holly Huntoon, spokesperson for the New Bedford Police Department, said. Five parked vehicles were involved in the crash, including two that "sustained extensive damage."
Oliver was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a "marked lanes violation" and speeding, Huntoon said.
Oliver is set to be arraigned in a New Bedford court on Monday, according to Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux.
Oliver originally launched his campaign as a running mate for Brian Shortsleeve, who lost the GOP primary to Minogue.
The suspension of his campaign comes less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 general election where he and Minogue are on the ballot against Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.
