NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts has withdrawn from the contest just hours after being taken into custody following a suspected drunk driving incident.

Shawn Oliver, who serves as a city councilor in New Bedford and works as a corrections officer, announced on X that he was concluding his bid, stating that "the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters."

This decision followed a statement from his running mate, Republican candidate for governor Mike Minogue, who requested that Oliver suspend his campaign right away and indicated that "when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation."

"I am extremely disappointed," Minogue posted on X. "There is no excuse for driving under the influence."

Authorities reported that Oliver, 42, was arrested after a vehicle he was operating collided with several parked cars and overturned late on Saturday.

He received hospital treatment for his injuries and faces charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation, a marked lanes violation, and speeding, according to police spokesperson Holly Huntoon. The incident was initially covered by The New Bedford Light.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, a Democrat, described the claims against Oliver as "deeply concerning" and emphasized that the public should receive an explanation from him regarding the events.

A message was left seeking comment from Oliver, a lifelong resident of the city of about 100,000 residents located roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of Boston, who joined the city council in 2023.

Minogue, a businessman and military veteran, is challenging incumbent Democratic Gov. Maura Healey in the November election. The Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor is current officeholder Kim Driscoll.

The role of lieutenant governor in Massachusetts is primarily ceremonial, though the position places the holder next in succession to the governor in case of resignation or death.

Oliver has been assigned to restricted duties at the Massachusetts Treatment Center, a medium-security facility for sex offenders and those civilly committed as sexually dangerous, while the situation is under review, said Lindsay Corcoran, a spokesperson for the Department of Correction.