'Extremely Disappointed': MA Lt. Gov. Candidate Suspends Campaign After Crash, DUI Arrest

The Massachusetts gubernatorial race was rocked this weekend after a late-night car crash and drunk-driving charge spurred Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Shawn Oliver to suspend his campaign just over two weeks before the election.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, whose name will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot with Oliver's as he challenges Democrat incumbent Gov. Maura Healey, called on Oliver to drop out of the race on Sunday.

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"I am extremely disappointed," Minogue said in a statement. "Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence.

"After speaking with Shawn, I am asking him to suspend his campaign immediately, and when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation."

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Oliver released a statement suspending his campaign on Sunday. Because of the late date, Oliver's name will still appear on the ballot and would, technically, become the state's second-highest-ranking elected official should the Republicans prevail.

A campaign suspension does not necessarily mean the end of a campaign. But it does signal that a candidate will, at least temporarily, stop actively campaigning and speaking to the media.

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"This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters," Oliver said. "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."

New Bedford police said Oliver faces charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a vehicle and other driving violations.

Police said Oliver crashed into five parked vehicles and that his vehicle was left overturned on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford at about 11:40 p.m. on Saturday.

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He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital to be treated and later released.

"This morning, I was made aware that City Councilor Shawn Oliver was involved in a car accident in the South End and taken into custody," New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said on Sunday. "I'm grateful to the New Bedford Police Department for their prompt response and relieved that no one was seriously injured.

"The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened."

Oliver emerged as the primary Republican candidate for lieutenant governor this fall after Peabody City Councilor Anne Manning Martin was disqualified from the ballot because a person she hired to help garner nomination signatures submitted ones that the state Supreme Judicial Court deemed fraudulent.

Manning Martin embarked on a failed primary write-in campaign and has stayed active in support of Minogue throughout the election cycle.

"The MassGOP supports the decision of Shawn Oliver to suspend his campaign for lieutenant governor," State Republican Party Chair Amy Carnavale said. "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.

"We also recognize that Shawn Oliver is holding himself accountable for his actions and facing the consequences of this situation."