On October 19, 2026, in Massachusetts, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Shawn Oliver, announced the suspension of his campaign on Sunday, October 18. This decision came after he was arrested for suspected drunk driving and has since been released on bail awaiting a court appearance.
In a statement posted on social media on Sunday afternoon, Oliver said, “After careful consideration, I have decided 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 has supported me throughout this journey and ask for respect for my family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
42-year-old Oliver is the running mate of Mike Minogue, the Republican candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. He currently serves as a city councilor in New Bedford.
According to The Boston Globe, the New Bedford police reported that on Saturday night, Oliver crashed into five parked cars near his home, causing significant damage to two of them. He then flipped his own car and was subsequently arrested. A police spokesperson stated that they received the accident call around 11:40 pm, and emergency personnel took Oliver to a local hospital for treatment. He was arrested on drunk driving charges before 7 am on Sunday.
As reported by The New Bedford Light, Oliver was the only person in the car at the time of the accident and appeared to be uninjured.
Oliver was released around 9:30 am on Sunday and is scheduled to appear in a New Bedford court on Monday morning. He faces multiple charges related to reckless driving.
Before Oliver announced the suspension of his campaign, Minogue took to social media urging his running mate to cease his campaign.
Minogue wrote on X platform, “I am deeply disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive, and thankfully, no innocent bystanders were injured. There is no excuse for drunk driving. After speaking with Shawn, I have requested him to immediately suspend his campaign. If I am elected, I will formally request his resignation.”
Massachusetts is a state where Democrats hold a significant advantage. Decision Desk HQ, a website focused on reporting U.S. elections, assessed that the current Democratic Governor Maura Healey is likely to secure reelection with a 99% chance of defeating Minogue.
(Reference: The Hill)