Republican lieutenant governor candidate Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign after being arrested for driving while intoxicated and crashing into several parked vehicles Saturday night in New Bedford. “After careful consideration, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for lieutenant governor. This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal issues. I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me along this journey and ask that my family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time,” Oliver said in a statement. The charges come just over two weeks before the highly anticipated general election, where Oliver’s name remains on the ballot. Oliver, also a New Bedford city councilman and Bristol County House of Corrections officer, was released from Ash Street Jail, the local lockup of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday morning and went directly to his home a few miles away. “The MassGOP supports Shawn Oliver’s decision to suspend his campaign for lieutenant governor. Lives were put at risk and that is never acceptable. We can now help Shawn get any help he needs to ensure he never puts himself or others in danger again,” MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale said in a written statement. “We also recognize that Shawn Oliver takes responsibility for his actions and faces the consequences of this situation,” he said. The Herald met Oliver’s wife outside their home, who said he was sleeping at the time and was “very hurt” by the situation, but declined to comment further. Oliver’s running mate and Republican gubernatorial candidate, Mike Minogue, had called on Oliver to suspend his campaign immediately after learning of the charges. “I am extremely disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive and that no innocents were hurt. There is no excuse for driving under the influence,” Minogue said. “After speaking with Shawn, I am asking that you suspend your campaign immediately, and when you are elected, I will formally ask you to resign. Shawn is a father and grandfather, and he needs to put his family first. He needs to do the work to ensure this never happens again. If you need help with that, I will help you,” he said. Local independent news outlet New Bedford Live captured the scene of Oliver’s violent crash, where it appears he crossed the street and crashed head-on into a parked car before rolling over his own car and hitting several other vehicles in the process. OUI’s collapse comes just 17 days before Oliver and Minogue face Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in the Nov. 3 general election, and after two strong debate performances by Minogue. The Herald has requested the police report and other relevant facts of Oliver’s alleged OUI accident from New Bedford police. — Shawn Oliver, developing candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, at the MassGOP convention. (Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald)
