Massachusetts GOP lieutenant governor nominee Shawn Oliver suspends campaign after OUI charge in New Bedford crash

As of 3:19 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026

Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, suspended his campaign Sunday afternoon, hours after he was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol following a crash in New Bedford, WCVB, The Boston Globe and Boston 25 News reported.

"After careful reflection, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Lieutenant Governor," Oliver said in a statement that the Globe reported was shared by a spokesperson for the state Republican Party. "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," he said, according to the Globe and WCVB. His campaign's X account posted the statement at 2:17 p.m. ET.

With early voting already underway and hundreds of thousands of ballots already submitted by mail, Oliver's name will remain on voters' ballots alongside Minogue's, the Globe reported. Globe reporter Chris Van Buskirk also wrote on X that Oliver "will still appear on the ballot in November".

Oliver was charged after a crash in New Bedford late Saturday, according to New Bedford police, The New Bedford Light reported.

Officers responded around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, to Dartmouth Street for a crash involving an overturned car that struck multiple parked cars, the newspaper reported. Five cars were involved and two sustained "extensive damage," police spokesperson Holly Huntoon said.

Oliver, 42, was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment and then arrested, according to the report. In addition to OUI, he was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lanes violation. The charges are allegations; Oliver has not been convicted of any offense. He is due to be arraigned Monday, State House News Service reported.

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux told The Light that Oliver was booked at the Ash Street Jail around 6:45 a.m. Sunday. He left the jail shortly after 9 a.m., told a reporter he had been in a crash on Dartmouth Street, and declined to comment further. The Boston Globe reported that Oliver had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

Running mate asks him to step aside

Mike Minogue, the Republican nominee for governor and Oliver's running mate, said on social media that he had spoken to Oliver and asked him to immediately suspend his campaign.

"I am extremely disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt," Minogue wrote. He said that "when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation".

Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale said in a brief statement that the party had "just learned of the car accident" and was "awaiting additional information as everyone else".

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said on Facebook that he was relieved no one was seriously injured. "The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened," he said.

After Oliver's announcement, Carnevale said in a statement: "The MassGOP supports the decision of Shawn Oliver to suspend his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Lives were put at risk and that is never acceptable," WCVB and Boston 25 News reported. Oliver's statement did not mention the crash or the charges against him.

Background

Oliver represents Ward 3 on the New Bedford City Council and works as a corrections officer for the state Department of Correction, The Light reported. He became Minogue's running mate after his original ticket partner, Brian Shortsleeve, lost the Sept. 1 Republican primary for governor. The general election is Nov. 3.

Why it matters

Oliver's exit about two weeks before Election Day upends the Republican ticket, though his name will stay on the ballot beside Minogue's, the Globe reported. The charges against him are allegations, and he is due to be arraigned Monday, State House News Service reported.