True Crime
Massachusetts GOP lieutenant governor candidate Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign after an OUI arrest in New Bedford.
New Bedford police said Oliver, 42, a city councilor and Mike Minogue's running mate, was charged after his car overturned and hit five parked vehicles on Dartmouth Street late Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. NBC Boston, WCVB, and The New Bedford Light reported he ended his statewide run on Sunday, about two weeks before Election Day.
By Crime Talk Network Staff Writer ·
The political consequence came faster than the legal one. Within hours, his own running mate asked him to drop out and said he would seek Oliver's resignation if elected, and Oliver suspended his campaign. The criminal case is four counts, OUI the most serious, and it has not had its first court date. Police have not released a breath or blood test result in the accounts so far. An arrest and a campaign exit are not a finding that he drove impaired.
Shawn Oliver, 42, a New Bedford city councilor and the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, is charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding, New Bedford police said, as reported by NBC Boston, WCVB, and The New Bedford Light. On Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, he announced he was suspending his campaign. "This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters," he said in a statement, asking that his family's privacy be respected.
Police said officers were called at about 11:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, to 448 Dartmouth St. for a crash in which a car overturned after hitting parked vehicles. Department spokesperson Holly Huntoon told The New Bedford Light that five vehicles were involved and two had extensive damage. Oliver was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment and then arrested, police said. NBC Boston reported no one else was hurt.
Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux told The New Bedford Light that Oliver was booked at the Ash Street Jail at about 6:45 a.m. Sunday. A Light reporter saw him leave the jail just after 9 a.m. in a white T-shirt, carrying his belongings in a plastic bag. He told the reporter he had been in a crash and declined further comment. The Boston Globe reported he was expected to be arraigned Monday in New Bedford District Court. NBC Boston reported it was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue, who is challenging Gov. Maura Healey, said he was "extremely disappointed," that "there is no excuse for driving under the influence," and that he had asked Oliver to suspend his campaign immediately and would ask for his resignation if elected, WCVB reported. Massachusetts Republican Party chair Amy Carnevale said the party supported Oliver's decision. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell called the allegations "deeply concerning" and said the public deserves to hear Oliver's explanation. WCVB reported Oliver has worked as a corrections officer since 2013 and was elected to the City Council in 2023. Election Day is Nov. 3. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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