Shawn Oliver, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, suspended his campaign Sunday, hours after New Bedford police arrested him on a charge of operating under the influence following a late-night crash. Oliver is a New Bedford city councilor and Mike Minogue’s running mate against Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. The election is November 3, and early voting began October 17.
Suspending a campaign is not the same as leaving the ballot. Under Massachusetts law, Oliver’s name stays where it is, and every vote for Minogue is also a vote for Oliver. Here is what police say happened, what the charges mean, and why the ballot cannot change now. Oliver is presumed innocent of every charge.
What police say happened
New Bedford police said officers responded at about 11:40 p.m. Saturday, October 17, to a crash on Dartmouth Street in which a vehicle overturned after hitting parked cars. WCVB reported the address as 448 Dartmouth St. Five parked vehicles were involved, two of which “sustained extensive damage,” police spokesperson Holly Huntoon told State House News Service.
- The charges. Oliver, 42, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment and arrested after an investigation at the scene and the hospital. He is charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding, according to police statements reported by NBC10 Boston, WCVB, CBS Boston and State House News Service.
- Release. Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux told State House News Service that Oliver was booked at about 6:46 a.m. Sunday and released from the Ash Street Jail at about 9:30 a.m.
- Court. Oliver is set to be arraigned in a New Bedford court Monday morning, Heroux told the News Service.
- Injuries. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement reported by WCVB that he was “relieved that no one was seriously injured.” He added: “The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened.”
The Boston Herald reported that Oliver also works as a Bristol County corrections officer. WCVB reported that his campaign website says he has been a corrections officer since 2013 and was elected to the city council in 2023.
Minogue asked him to step aside, and he did
Minogue released a statement late Sunday morning. “I am extremely disappointed,” he said. “Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence.” He continued: “After speaking with Shawn, I am asking him to suspend his campaign immediately, and when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation.”
Oliver announced later Sunday that he was suspending his campaign. “This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters,” he said in a statement reported by WCVB and CBS Boston. “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.”
Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale said the party “supports the decision of Shawn Oliver to suspend his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Lives were put at risk and that is never acceptable.” A Healey spokesperson told CBS Boston the campaign had no comment.
Oliver first entered the race as the running mate of Brian Shortsleeve, who lost the Republican primary to Minogue. State House News Service reported that Oliver was the only Republican left on the lieutenant governor ballot by the time of the September 1 primary.
Why his name stays on the ballot
We read the relevant constitutional and statutory text at malegislature.gov. Three provisions settle it.
- Governor and lieutenant governor are one vote. Article 86 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution says party candidates for the two offices “shall be grouped on the official ballot,” that the voter “may cast a single vote for any such group, which shall count as a vote for each candidate in such group,” and that a voter “may not cast a vote for only one of the candidates in such group.” There is no way to vote for Minogue without also voting for Oliver.
- The withdrawal window closed in September. Under G.L. c. 53, § 13, a nominee may withdraw only within the time allowed for filing objections to nominations, and “no such requests for withdrawals shall be received after such time has expired.” For nominations made at a state primary, G.L. c. 55B, § 5 sets that time at six days after 5 p.m. on primary day. This year’s state primary was September 1.
- No replacement without a withdrawal. The statute that lets a party fill a vacancy on its ticket, G.L. c. 53, § 14, ties a vacancy caused by withdrawal to “the last day for filing withdrawals,” and says “no vacancy caused by withdrawal shall be filled before the withdrawal has been filed.”
Ballots are already printed and being cast. As we explained in our early voting guide, in-person early voting runs October 17 through October 30, and mail ballots went out earlier in October. The Boston Herald reported that Oliver’s name remains on the ballot. CBS Boston reported it is “unclear what will happen on the Republican side of the ballot.”
What if Minogue wins?
If the Minogue ticket wins, Oliver would be elected lieutenant governor along with him. A suspended campaign does not change the count. Minogue has said he would then ask Oliver to resign.
A resignation would be Oliver’s decision. The constitution addresses vacancies in the other direction: when the governor’s chair is vacant, the lieutenant governor “shall, during such vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon the governor” (Part the Second, Chapter II, Section II, Article III). When both offices are vacant, Article 55 of the Amendments puts the secretary of the commonwealth, attorney general, treasurer and auditor next in line, in that order. We did not find a provision for filling a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office alone.
What the OUI charge carries
The charges are allegations. Oliver has not entered a plea, and none has been proven. For context, here is what the statutes provide.
- Operating under the influence. G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(a)(1) makes it a crime to operate a motor vehicle on a public way with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more “or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.” The penalty range is a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to two and one-half years in a house of correction, or both. A $250 assessment also applies to anyone convicted, placed on probation, or given a continuance without a finding.
- The first-offender program. G.L. c. 90, § 24D lets a court place a person with no prior OUI on probation for up to two years, with a driver alcohol education program as a condition and a license suspension of 45 to 90 days, if the person consents. Without that disposition, a first conviction carries a license loss: under § 24(1)(c)(1), the registrar may not restore the license until one year after the conviction.
- Negligent operation. Under G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a), operating “negligently so that the lives or safety of the public might be endangered” carries a fine of $20 to $200, two weeks to two years in jail, or both.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shawn Oliver still on the Massachusetts ballot?
Yes. He suspended his campaign on October 18, but the deadline to withdraw a primary nominee’s name passed in September under G.L. c. 53, § 13 and c. 55B, § 5. His name remains on the ballot as the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
Can I vote for Mike Minogue but not Shawn Oliver?
No. Article 86 of the state constitution groups each party’s candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, and a vote for the group counts for both. A voter “may not cast a vote for only one of the candidates in such group.”
Can the Republican Party replace Oliver on the ticket?
Not under the statutes we read. A party can fill a vacancy caused by withdrawal only after a withdrawal has been filed, and the window to file one for a primary nominee closed six days after the September 1 primary.
What happens if Minogue wins and Oliver resigns?
Oliver would take office as lieutenant governor with Minogue. We found no provision in the constitution for filling a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office alone. When both offices are vacant, Article 55 sets a line of succession.
What is the penalty for a first OUI in Massachusetts?
A fine of $500 to $5,000, up to two and one-half years in a house of correction, or both, under G.L. c. 90, § 24. Many first offenders are placed on probation under § 24D with an alcohol education program and a 45 to 90 day license suspension.
Sources: New Bedford Police Department statements as reported by NBC10 Boston, WCVB, CBS Boston and State House News Service (via Fall River Reporter), October 18, 2026; Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux to State House News Service; statements of Mike Minogue, Shawn Oliver, MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell; Boston Herald, October 18, 2026. Massachusetts Constitution, Part the Second, c. 2, § 2, art. 3, and Amendments, Arts. 55 and 86; G.L. c. 53, §§ 13 and 14; G.L. c. 55B, § 5; G.L. c. 90, §§ 24 and 24D, all read at malegislature.gov. General information, not legal advice.