Massachusetts Democratic Party Leader Faces Drunken Driving Charges

The Massachusetts Democratic Party’s leader encountered legal issues last month after a traffic stop led to charges of alleged drunken driving. According to state court records, Steve Kerrigan admitted there were enough facts to support a conviction days after the incident.

On June 15, two days after a traffic stop in Southborough, a judge handled an operating under the influence (OUI) liquor charge against Kerrigan. He entered an ‘admission to sufficient facts,’ a Massachusetts legal disposition acknowledging prosecutors could secure a conviction based on the evidence. This information comes from Westborough District Court records.

Aside from the OUI charge, Kerrigan, aged 54, encountered a negligent operation charge and a marked lanes violation. The negligent operation charge was dropped, and he was not held responsible for the marked lanes violation. The judge imposed a year’s probation, suspended Kerrigan’s driver’s license for 45 days, and required him to pay $600 in fees. He also needs to complete an impaired driving education program.

Steve Kerrigan, elected as the Massachusetts Democratic Party chair in 2023, has a notable political background. He was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014 and held a role with the Democratic National Convention Committee. Currently, he serves as the president and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center.

On June 13, shortly after midnight, a Southborough Police officer stopped Kerrigan’s vehicle, observing it crossed or rode over a lane divider. The officer noted Kerrigan’s eyes appeared ‘glassy’ and ‘bloodshot red,’ and his speech was slow and slurred. An overwhelming odor of cologne impeded the detection of alcohol smell as reported by the officer.

Upon stopping Kerrigan, he admitted to the officer about consuming two beers around 6 p.m. before dinner, while driving back from a restaurant. Field sobriety tests were conducted, followed by a breath test showing a 0.089% blood alcohol content, slightly over the legal limit of 0.08% in Massachusetts.

In a statement provided to Boston.com by his attorney, Andrea Levy, Kerrigan acknowledged the incident, expressing regret and taking full responsibility for his actions. He appreciated the professionalism of the Southborough Police Department and the Westborough Court.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party has not responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comments. Brittany Miller, a correspondent for Fox News Digital, has reported on this event. She is a recent graduate from Syracuse University, class of 2023.