GOP Lt. Gov. candidate Shawn Oliver continues city council duties as calls grow for resignation

BOSTON — Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Shawn Oliver isn’t abandoning his New Bedford City Council duties nearly a week following his arrest on OUI charges after allegedly crashing into several parked cars.

He’s doing so as calls for his resignation grow in the Whaling City. Councilors earn a base salary of $27,768 per year.

He earned $109,436 last year as a DOC corrections officer, according to state Comptroller records.

Oliver, with fresh surgical staples holding together a gash in the side of his head as a result of the violent crash, appeared at New Bedford City Hall and conducted his regular duties, refusing to answer questions from the Herald following the Thursday night meeting on whether he’s considering stepping down.

But fellow New Bedford City Councilor Leo Choquette became the first member of the city’s legislative body to call on Oliver to resign, according to local news outlet WBSM News.

“I formally request that the Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver resign from the New Bedford City Council. I never thought I would be writing this release, as Shawn is a friend and colleague who has been a respected leader on the floor of the chambers for several years,” Choquette said. “However, the events which he set in motion this weekend have accelerated beyond his control, and I pray he and his family step back and address them. The business and the work of the City of New Bedford and continuity of local government MUST take precedence over the consequences of any individual elected official’s actions.

“To continue to put the other councilors through a gauntlet of reporters, protestors, and national scrutiny is wholly unnecessary and counterproductive for the 100,000 residents who expect professional representation co-equal to that of the Office of the Mayor,” he continued. “While this is truly the most difficult action I have ever taken as the Ward One City Councilor, I believe Shawn will have more chapters to write in his political journey.”

Choquette and Oliver both joined the Republican Party last year after Choquette left the Democratic Party, while Oliver changed his enrollment from unenrolled to Republican.

Choquette’s plea came just hours after former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, a Democrat, called for Oliver’s resignation on the SouthCoast Now radio program, also on WBSM (1420 AM).

“What’s good for the city is Shawn Oliver taking care of his legal and personal issues, whatever they are, and resigning from the city council. Shawn has done a good job as a city councilor. He shows up, he’s responsible. But when you get involved in the situation that he did, we’re all flesh and blood, and we all have foibles,” said Lang. “You cannot then saddle your personal problems on a governmental body, which the city council is.”

The current mayor, Democrat Jon Mitchell, has yet to comment on whether he feels Oliver should resign, only issuing a statement the day following the OUI crash.

However, there is no mechanism in the New Bedford City Charter to force Oliver out of his seat, according to Democrat Mayor Jon Mitchell and Council President Ryan Perreira. Councilors reportedly approved a Home Rule Petition in May, signed by Mayor Mitchell, to add a recall provision for elected officials.

There would be a mechanism in place if not pushed aside by state lawmakers. That petition needs approval from the Massachusetts Legislature to be implemented, and has not seen any action since.

In the hours immediately following the crash, and his release from jail, Oliver announced the suspension of his statewide campaign for lieutenant governor per the request of his running mate and GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue.

“Leaders hold people accountable, and I wish Shawn the best on the personal side, but he will not be my lieutenant governor, and I will save the state $300,000 in new taxes between his salary and the security,” Minogue told the Herald over the phone Thursday.

“And that’s what we need, and that’s what’s lacking in government, and I will have a great staff, and I will execute and be the leader. There are other states that don’t have LG’s, and just around us Maine and New Hampshire don’t have LG’s as well. So I’m focused on being a new kind of governor, and that means that I guess I won’t have a lieutenant governor,” he said.

Oliver was arrested Saturday night after allegedly crashing his car into at least five parked vehicles. Police reports indicate Oliver was allegedly so drunk he vomited in front of an arresting officer while earlier stopping for a green light. He also reportedly admitted to officers that he was drinking that night, but refused breathalyzer and blood alcohol tests.

He was released from the Ash Street Jail, the local lockup for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday morning and pleaded not guilty Monday in New Bedford District Court on charges of operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speeding and a marked lanes violation.

He was released on personal recognizance and ordered to not operate a motor vehicle while his case is pending. He will next be in court for a pre-trial hearing on November 16.

The charges came just over two weeks before the highly anticipated general election, where Oliver’s name remains on the ballot.

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