Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a single-car crash in Lancaster on June 12, according to police records obtained and verified by local news outlets.
Lancaster Police Crash Report and Arrest Details
According to the Lancaster Police Department log, officers responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 70 at approximately 11:15 p.m. on June 12. Investigators found a single vehicle had struck a utility pole. Responding officers identified the driver as Stephen Kerrigan, 55, of Lancaster. Police conducted field sobriety tests at the scene before placing Kerrigan under arrest.
Kerrigan was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and a marked lanes violation, according to court documents filed in Leominster District Court. Court records indicate that Kerrigan was released on personal recognizance following his arraignment.
Response From the Massachusetts Democratic Party
Massachusetts Democratic Party officials acknowledged the arrest in public statements following the release of the police reports. Party representatives stated that leadership was aware of the pending legal matter involving the chair. Kerrigan has served as the chair of the state party since 2021, following a career in Democratic politics that includes serving as chief of staff to the late Senator Edward Kennedy and working on presidential campaigns for Barack Obama and Joe Kerry.
Defense attorney Joseph Simons, representing Kerrigan, declined to comment extensively on the ongoing judicial proceedings outside of court filings. A pretrial hearing in Leominster District Court is scheduled for later this fall, according to court schedules.
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