GOP Lieutenant Governor Pick Shawn Oliver Drops Out After OUI Arrest, but His Name Stays on the Ballot
Oliver pleaded not guilty Monday. Healey called the Minogue campaign "chaos," and Minogue's team says the job would stay empty if he wins.
Republican lieutenant governor nominee Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign Sunday after his arrest on an operating-under-the-influence charge in New Bedford, GBH and WBUR reported. Police accuse him of hitting five parked cars and flipping his own car early Sunday, according to GBH. He was taken to a hospital and then the Ash Street Jail and released in under three hours.
Oliver pleaded not guilty Monday, Axios Boston reported, citing The New Bedford Light. "This election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters," Oliver said in a statement quoted by GBH.
Gov. Maura Healey told reporters, "It's obvious there's chaos over at the Mike Minogue campaign," Axios reported. Minogue's campaign said it would leave the lieutenant governor's post unfilled if he wins, though Oliver stays on the ballot. Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting is open.