Oliver Pleads Not Guilty as Massachusetts GOP Ticket Splits

A Massachusetts Republican lieutenant governor candidate has suspended his campaign and faces four driving charges following a rollover crash that damaged five parked vehicles in New Bedford. Shawn Oliver, 42, pleaded not guilty Monday, October 19, 2026, at New Bedford District Court, as gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue sought to prevent the scandal from affecting their joint campaign against incumbent Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

According to police reports cited by The Boston Globe, officers responded around 11:40 p.m. Saturday to a crash in New Bedford's South End. Oliver's vehicle struck five parked cars before overturning, and two of those vehicles sustained extensive damage, according to police information reported by Fox News.

Oliver was transported to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment.

Oliver faces charges of operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding. He was released on personal recognizance after Monday's arraignment and left without addressing reporters. His attorney, John Hendrie, declined to comment, saying, "Not today," according to The Boston Globe.

Police reports describe Oliver as injured and bleeding when officers arrived. According to the reports, he later told police from his hospital bed that he had consumed alcohol before driving. Officers also documented bloodshot, glassy eyes and an odor of alcohol. The allegations have not been established as facts in a criminal conviction.

Minogue, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, said Oliver would not serve as lieutenant governor even if voters elected their ticket on November 3. He also warned that voters should not alter the ballot line bearing their names because doing so could invalidate their votes, according to The Boston Globe.

Minogue said, "We've come to an agreement. He will not be my lieutenant governor. Period."

He had publicly called for Oliver to suspend his campaign and said he would formally seek Oliver's resignation if elected. Oliver announced Sunday that he was suspending his campaign, saying the election was "too important to be overshadowed by personal matters."

The candidate's withdrawal came after Minogue criticized the crash and expressed concern that someone could have been seriously hurt. In a statement reported by Fox News, Minogue said, "I am extremely disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt." He added, "There is no excuse for driving under the influence."

Minogue also urged Oliver to prioritize his family and address the circumstances surrounding the incident. He said, "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." Minogue added, "If he needs help with that, I will help him."

Oliver's name will remain on the November ballot because the deadline to remove a candidate had passed more than six weeks before the crash, according to The Boston Globe. Hundreds of thousands of voters had already cast ballots through early voting or by mail, further complicating the situation for the Republican ticket.

Massachusetts has no constitutional procedure for replacing a lieutenant governor who resigns, according to Debra O'Malley, a spokesperson for the secretary of state's office. If Minogue wins and Oliver declines to take office or resigns immediately after being sworn in, the position would remain vacant. The secretary of state would be next in the line of succession if an acting governor were needed.

Minogue argued that leaving the position vacant could reduce state spending, pointing to New Hampshire and Maine, which operate without lieutenant governors. Massachusetts previously experienced a vacancy after Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray resigned in 2013. Governor Deval Patrick then assumed Murray's limited formal responsibilities, including chairing Governor's Council meetings.

Democratic Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Oliver's opponent in the race, addressed the controversy without discussing the criminal allegations in detail. She said, "As we move forward, we're going to continue to do the hard work and deliver for the people of Massachusetts and try and put all this division and chaos aside that they are certainly dealing with in a different place," according to WHDH.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell also called for Oliver to address the incident publicly. In a statement reported by Fox News, Mitchell said, "This morning, I was made aware that City Councilor Shawn Oliver was involved in a car accident in the South End and taken into custody." He added, "I'm grateful to the New Bedford Police Department for their prompt response and relieved that no one was seriously injured."

Mitchell said, "The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened." Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Department of Correction confirmed that Oliver, who works for the department and is assigned to the Massachusetts Treatment Center, had been placed on restricted work duty while officials reviewed the circumstances of his arrest.

Department spokesperson Scott J. Croteau said, "Shawn Oliver has been placed on restricted work duty while all facts and circumstances are reviewed. He is currently assigned to the Massachusetts Treatment Center." The review is separate from the criminal proceedings arising from the crash.