Shawn Oliver, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts, announced the suspension of his campaign on Sunday. This decision came hours after his arrest in connection with a suspected drunk-driving crash.
Police stated that Mr Oliver, 42, was arrested after a car crash late on Saturday. The incident involved a vehicle that reportedly struck multiple parked vehicles before overturning. He was taken to hospital for injuries and subsequently arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding, according to police spokesperson Holly Huntoon.
Mr Oliver, who is also a city councillor in New Bedford and a corrections officer, stated in a post on X that he was ending his campaign because “the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters”. His running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, had asked him to suspend his campaign immediately, expressing extreme disappointment and stating there was “no excuse for driving under the influence”.
A spokesperson for the state department of correction, Lindsay Corcoran, confirmed that Mr Oliver has been placed on restricted work duty at the Massachusetts Treatment Center while the facts and circumstances are reviewed.