Shawn Oliver Suspends Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Campaign After Crash
Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign for Massachusetts lieutenant governor following his arrest for alleged drunk driving after a weekend crash in New Bedford, cbsnews.com reported. Oliver, a 42-year-old Republican city councilor representing Ward 3, struck five parked cars along Dartmouth Street just before midnight on Saturday, according to Boston.com. Two of the vehicles sustained extensive damage, and Oliver flipped his vehicle during the collision.
Charges Filed and Hospitalization in New Bedford
New Bedford police responded to the crash at 448 Dartmouth St. at 11:40 p.m. Saturday, spokesperson Holly Huntoon stated in an email reported by Boston.com. First responders transported Oliver to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for treatment of his injuries. Following his hospital evaluation, police arrested Oliver and charged him with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and two traffic offenses.
Oliver entered a not guilty plea to the charges on Monday. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell posted online that he is grateful to police for their rapid response and confirmed that no serious injuries resulted from the incident. The Massachusetts Republican Party chairwoman, Amy Carnevale, stated Sunday afternoon that the party supports Oliver’s decision to halt his campaign, noting that lives were put at risk and offering assistance to help him secure support.
Ballot Status and Next Steps for the Minogue Campaign
Massachusetts Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. Because the state-mandated deadline to remove a candidate from the ballot passed on September 4, officials printed ballots with Oliver’s name intact alongside gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue. The Massachusetts Secretary of State reported that 300,000 voters had already cast ballots as of Monday.
Minogue released an online statement expressing extreme disappointment while confirming that Oliver would not serve as lieutenant governor even if the ticket wins. The Minogue campaign urged supporters to continue voting for the ticket, warning that any marks or ballot deletions would invalidate votes cast for Minogue. According to the Secretary of State’s office, if elected, Oliver could refuse the Oath of Office to leave the position vacant, with Secretary of State Bill Galvin next in line if the governor cannot serve.
Political Fallout and Campaign Reactions
Incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey addressed the arrest during campaign events on Monday, stating she is glad no one was hurt and pointing to ongoing chaos within the opposition. Political analyst Jon Keller told cbsnews.com that the incident creates a nightmarish cycle for Republicans, though he noted it likely will not heavily sway election outcomes since few voters decide ballots based on lieutenant governor nominees. The arrest complicates the late-stage campaign for Minogue, who was previously challenging Healey following recent debates.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Election and Ballots
Can Shawn Oliver be removed from the printed Massachusetts ballots?
No. The state deadline to remove candidates from the ballot was September 4, and ballots carrying Oliver’s name are already in circulation, with hundreds of thousands of votes already cast ahead of the November 3 election.
What happens if the Minogue-Oliver ticket wins the election?
According to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s office, Oliver has the option to refuse the Oath of Office if elected. Refusing the oath would leave the lieutenant governor position vacant.
How does this impact votes already cast for Mike Minogue?
The Minogue campaign cautioned voters that any physical marks, alterations, or deletions made to ballots in an attempt to cross out Oliver’s name will completely invalidate the vote for Mike Minogue.
This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters,
Oliver wrote in his campaign suspension announcement.
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