New Bedford Councilor Choquette Asks for Shawn Oliver Resignation

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — For the first time since his arrest on charges of operating under the influence and other charges related to his rollover crash on October 17, New Bedford Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver is being asked to resign by one of his fellow councilors.

Leo Choquette Breaks Ranks on City Council

Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette provided WBSM with a statement on the evening of Thursday, October 22, ahead of that night’s meeting of 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.”

Earlier Thursday, former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang appeared on WBSM’s SouthCoast Now with Chris McCarthy and became the first local politician to ask Oliver to step down from the council.

“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,” Lang said.

Details of the Dartmouth Street Rollover Crash

Oliver flipped his SUV in a rollover crash on Dartmouth Street late on the night of October 17, striking five other cars in the process. He was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, speeding, and other charges. Since that time, he has attended all city council meetings: the Finance Committee on Monday, Appointments & Briefings on Tuesday, the Audit Committee (which he chairs) on Wednesday, and Thursday night’s meeting of the full city council.

Oliver has not spoken to the media since the crash and his arrest, and has not addressed questions regarding whether he plans to step down from his council seat, or if he will resign if the voters elect him as lieutenant governor on November 3. When Oliver suspended his campaign on October 18, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue said Oliver had told him he would resign, but Oliver himself has not publicly confirmed that.

Oliver’s fellow councilors have offered limited comments on his arrest, with Council President Ryan Pereira saying there is “no mechanism” for Oliver to be removed at this time except for him stepping down. No councilor had called for his resignation – until now.

Leo Choquette's Full Statement Calling for Shawn Oliver's Resignation

“After several days of reflection, and hearing the comments of former Mayor Scott Lang, I formally request that the Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver resign from the New Bedford City Council,” Choquette wrote. “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. 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,” Choquette wrote.

Choquette, a former Democrat who joined the Republican Party along with Oliver earlier this year, also addressed the distraction that Oliver’s ongoing legal situation is causing for the other 10 councilors, with an increased media presence and public protest around council meetings.

“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,” Choquette wrote. “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.”