New Bedford Councilor Shawn Oliver Announces Run for Lieutenant Governor

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver is ready to take the next step in his political career, announcing Thursday evening that he is a candidate for Massachusetts lieutenant governor at a kickoff event at Merrill’s on the Waterfront.

Oliver Announces Statewide Run

New Bedford has not had a candidate for governor nor lieutenant governor in the modern age. Oliver will be running as a Republican, on a ticket with candidate Brian Shortsleeve, who called his “honor” to announce Oliver as his running mate.

“He is a man of conviction, common sense, and service. He understands working families. He understands the pressures facing our communities,” Shortsleeve said. “And he understands that this election is about restoring a government that respects the people who pay for it.”

Why Shortsleeve Chose Oliver

Shortsleeve said he was looking for someone to join him on the ticket who would be a “partner” in his “fight to make Massachusetts more affordable for working people.”

“When I began thinking about who should join me on this ticket, I knew I was not looking for someone who simply checked a political box or had a famous last name or someone who had been part of the political establishment,” he said.

“I was looking for someone who understands the lives of the people we are running to serve. Someone who knows what it means to work hard, take responsibility, raise a family, and live with the consequences of bad policy made in Boston,” Shortsleeve said. “Someone who believes, as I do, that public service is about results, not rhetoric, and that government exists to serve citizens, not itself.”

Oliver’s Background and Experience

At the event, Oliver spoke of his family’s immigration from the Portuguese island of Pico, and his grandparents toiling in the factories and mills of New Bedford while also working to assimilate into American society. He also spoke of his own experiences attending New Bedford schools, and then working in retail management before passing the civil service exam and becoming a corrections officer. He has held that position for nearly 15 years.

“You see, I wasn’t political by nature, but I grew frustrated watching city government move in the wrong direction, focused more on ideology than on improving schools, fixing roads, and managing taxpayer dollars responsibly,” he said. “I didn’t see myself, my family, or many of my neighbors being represented. As my son reached school age, I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines while decisions affecting his future were being made by people with very different values.”

That’s what led him to run for the New Bedford City Council, and why he is seeking the office of lieutenant governor.

Shortsleeve touted Oliver’s “backbone,” and called him “someone who knows that accountability matters, that taxpayer money is not free money, and that common sense is not some outdated idea but the foundation of good government.”

Oliver's decision to enter the race may come as a surprise to some, considering his only political experience is three years as a ward councilor, but political insiders know he is a rising star within the Republican party.

Oliver told WBSM that he sees this campaign for lieutenant governor not as something that hurts his ability to represent New Bedford’s Ward 3, but as something that amplifies it.

“Serving the people of New Bedford is one of the greatest honors, and I want to be clear that commitment does not change,” he said. “If anything, it’s exactly why I’m taking this step. The voices, concerns, and everyday challenges of my constituents are what motivate me to seek higher office, and I will continue to represent them on the city council, bringing the concerns of the city to the campaign trail.”

Shawn Oliver's Shift to the Republican Party

Oliver, who has always identified as a conservative, officially joined the Republican Party in August 2025 after previously being unenrolled. He was elected chair of the recently-rejuvenated New Bedford Republican City Committee in February.

READ MORE: Two New Bedford City Councilors Join the Republican Party

In his new role with the committee and even before, Oliver had been watching the race for the GOP nomination for governor between Shortsleeve, Mike Minogue and Mike Kennealy with keen interest as to how it could help his constituents. Over time, that turned into a larger opportunity to serve them.

“This opportunity came about through ongoing conversations about the direction of our state and the kind of leadership that’s needed right now,” he said. “I’ve been paying close attention to the field, and it became clear to me that Brian Shortsleeve brings a seriousness and focus on results that aligns with what I hear from residents every day. We share a belief that Massachusetts needs to be more affordable, more accountable, and more responsive to the people it serves.”

Oliver Has Won One Contested Election Thus Far

Oliver emerged as the top vote-getter in the field of seven candidates in the 2023 special election primary to replace former Ward 3 Councilor Hugh Dunn, who had resigned. He did so with a strong ground game and knocking on every door in the ward. He faced off against Carmen Amaral in the final, winning 414-307. He then ran unopposed for reelection in 2025.

READ MORE: New Bedford Ward 3 Voters Elect Shawn Oliver

If victorious, Oliver said balancing being the No. 2 executive in the Commonwealth along with his family life is something he’s confident he can handle.

“Balancing responsibilities is something I take seriously, but it’s not new to me. I’ve always managed multiple roles, whether in public service, my professional career, or within my family, and I’ve built my life around showing up and doing the work,” Oliver said.

“I’m fortunate to have a strong support system at home,” he said. “My wife has always been a steady source of encouragement and strength, and that foundation makes it possible for me to take on a challenge like this while staying grounded and focused on what matters most.”

What Comes Next in the Campaign

Although Shortsleeve and Oliver are likely headed for a primary battle with at least one of the other GOP candidates and his running mate, Oliver said he’s ready for the fight.

“I expect it to be active, engaging, and rooted in direct conversations with voters across the state,” Oliver said. “That’s the part I’m most looking forward to getting into communities, listening, and talking about real solutions.”

“At the end of the day, this campaign is about the people I serve now and the people I hope to serve across Massachusetts,” he said.