OUI Ends Shawn Oliver’s Bid for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
The Rest of the Story
Hopes that the son of legal immigrants would hold the second-highest office in the Commonwealth were lost in an instant. Shawn Oliver is lucky that’s all that was lost. But why?
By Joan Quinn Eastman
New Bedford, MA – Saturday, October 17, was the first day of early voting in Massachusetts. In an effort to inform voters of his intentions as lieutenant governor, Republican nominee Shawn Oliver arrived in Newton, Massachusetts, at 2 p.m. like a clean cut college boy enthusiastically ready to participate in a live-streamed debate.
It became the last stop of his campaign.
(Boston Broadside image)
The affable corrections officer listened to the record of his opponent, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, as it was recited in her absence. His responses were very well received and applauded by the audience.
He thanked everyone for the opportunity to be heard, along with four other candidates. He departed with handshakes and back pats for a job well done around 4 p.m. to head back to New Bedford.
Eight hours later, he was found back in his hometown, in his overturned SUV as the only driver in a late night multi-vehicle crash where he was arrested for operating under the influence.
The next morning, less than 2½ weeks before election day, Republican gubernatorial nominee, Mike Minogue lived up to his campaign pledge for transparency and accountability as governor.
He immediately called for Oliver to suspend his campaign.
Within hours Oliver agreed.
At the same time, Minogue—who had inherited Oliver as his running mate after defeating Brian Shortsleeve in the primary—demonstrated his commitment to compassion in leadership by offering to get Oliver the help he needs.
Oliver was arraigned in New Bedford District Court this morning, charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lanes violation. He plead not guilty.
(Boston Broadside photo)
Although innocent until proven guilty, what could have caused Oliver to make a choice that goes well beyond self-destructive during such a critical time in the political history of Massachusetts?
Noticeably absent from most of the mainstream coverage of the breaking news is what a tireless public servant and hard worker Shawn is, with the exception of Tim Dunn at the Boston Herald.
The story broke Sunday morning in the New Bedford Light. A good chunk of the end of the article includes reaction from colleagues and fellow candidates offering support for the well-liked 42-year-old and all he juggles — from prayers to praise, for his various public service roles, including as New Bedford City Councilor — to essentially working three jobs, while finding time for his family, including a grandchild.
“I commend Mike Minogue for not ducking the issue, and being firm but fair, and compassionate with a willingness to help Shawn get the treatment he needs for the high-stress job that he has,” says Jerry McDermott, former Norfolk County Sheriff.
“This is not to say that Oliver is innocent; my heart goes out to him, and I’m sure he is remorseful, but as Mike Minogue and the campaign go forward, no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, mental health and substance abuse is a key issue that needs more attention.
“During my time as Sheriff, I saw an incredible amount of stress with the corrections officers. What I found from talking with them across the Commonwealth is that they just don’t get paid enough for all they have to put up with and the toll it takes on them.
“What blew me away was the numerous programs for inmates… social workers, mental healthcare, medication assistance, individual and group therapy, AA meetings, anger management, and the list goes on for inmates. But there’s no help for the corrections officers who have the high-stress job of taking care of prisoners.
“They see things in jails and prisons they can’t unsee. It’s a profession that has one of the highest rates of alcoholism, divorce, and suicide. They also die on average almost 10 years earlier than those in other professions.
“Think about it: if they do a 20+ year career, you as a correction officer are in jail – dealing with some of the toughest people, seeing them at their worst while you’re trying to do your best. It affects them deeply, leading to self-medicating to escape it.”
“A terrible thing has happened here that has shined a spotlight on professions that create substance abuse,” says McDermott, who is also a fellow City Councilor, having served in Boston from 2002 to 2008.
“And as far as the opposition goes, while momentum for Minogue grows, throwing stones with this incident while living in glass houses is not a good idea,” McDermott warns wryly. “Problems like this happen to everyone. There is no shortfall of scandals with the Democrats. You would have to have barrels of ink to cover them recently and over the decades.”
