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After running mate’s arrest, Mass. GOP gubernatorial nominee says he will govern alone if elected

20 October 2026 at 21:40

Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue said that if he is elected in November, he will serve without a lieutenant governor after his running mate was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk.

Shawn Oliver suspended his campaign for lieutenant governor after he was involved in a car crash on Saturday and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation and speeding. He pleaded not guilty on Monday.

“Several states, including Maine and New Hampshire, operate without a lieutenant governor,” Minogue’s campaign said in a statement Monday. “Massachusetts law already sets the order of succession if the governor is out of office.” He added that “leaving the position unfilled will save taxpayers well over $300,000 in salary and security costs.”

In announcing the suspension of his campaign, Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor, said the upcoming election was “too important to be overshadowed by personal matters.”

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey and ask that my family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time,” he wrote in a statement.

Despite suspending his campaign, Oliver will still have his name appear on the ballot. He has not yet commented on whether he plans to turn down the position if elected.

Mingoue’s campaign encouraged voters to still plan to select the Minogue-Oliver ticket “because the ballots have already been printed and cannot be changed. Any marks or deletions will invalidate the vote for Minogue,” clarifying that Oliver would not serve as Minogue’s lieutenant governor if elected.

Hours after Oliver’s arrest, Minogue said that he was “extremely disappointed” and that there is “no excuse for driving under the influence.”

“Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt,” Minogue said in a statement Sunday, adding that he asked Oliver to suspend his campaign immediately and that he would formally ask for his resignation if he is elected.

“Shawn is a father and grandfather, and he needs to put his family first,” Minogue said. “He needs to do the work to ensure this never happens again. If he needs help with that, I will help him.”

Minogue faces off against Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in the Nov. 3 general election. A recent Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll showed Healey leading the race by 25 percentage points.

The post After running mate’s arrest, Mass. GOP gubernatorial nominee says he will govern alone if elected appeared first on MS NOW.

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