The chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Steve Kerrigan, has faced a DUI charge after a traffic stop in June. Court records show that Kerrigan, 54, was stopped by a police officer in the town of Southborough, who observed his BMW traveling on or over the lane divider.
Kerrigan was arrested on alleged drunken driving charges and subsequently admitted to prosecutors that there were sufficient facts to support a conviction. A judge continued the operating under the influence (OUI) liquor charge without a finding after Kerrigan entered an "admission to sufficient facts," a Massachusetts legal disposition.
As part of the agreement, Kerrigan faced a year's probation, a 45-day suspension of his driver's license, $600 in fees, and completion of an impaired driving education program. He was also found not responsible for a marked lanes violation. In addition to the OUI charge, Kerrigan faced a negligent operation charge, which was dismissed.
Kerrigan, who was elected chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party in 2023, previously served as an executive with the Democratic National Convention Committee and as president and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center. He also served as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014.
A Southborough Police Department report describes the officer who stopped Kerrigan as observing "glassy" and "bloodshot red" eyes, slow and slurred speech, and an "overwhelming odor of cologne" that masked any smell of alcohol. Kerrigan claimed to have consumed two beers before dinner and provided a breath sample that registered a 0.089% blood alcohol content.
Kerrigan acknowledged the incident in a statement, taking full responsibility for his actions and expressing gratitude to the Southborough Police Department and the Westborough Court for their professionalism and service.
