New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, has passed away at the age of 71, as announced by her family.
Oliver had been serving alongside Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy, stepping in for him during his absences and overseeing the Department of Community Affairs, responsible for coordinating state aid to municipalities and overseeing code enforcement.
The family’s statement, released through Murphy’s office, did not disclose the cause of death.
“It is with incredible sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of the Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Lieutenant Governor of the State of New Jersey. She was not only a distinguished public servant but also our cherished daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and hero,” the family stated.
As acting governor, Oliver had signed several bills, including one in 2021 that established a pilot program to reform the state’s juvenile justice system in four cities, aiming to reintegrate young people into their communities.
Oliver had been hospitalized while filling in for Gov. Murphy, who was on a family vacation in Italy.
The governor’s office revealed she was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition.
Murphy’s spokesperson declined to provide further details but mentioned that the governor would be returning soon, without specifying a date. He was initially scheduled to return on August 13.
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Gov. Murphy expressed profound sadness upon hearing the news of Oliver’s passing, describing her as “incredibly genuine and kind,” and asked for thoughts and prayers for her family. He emphasized that choosing her as his running mate was “the best decision I ever made.”
Born and raised in Newark, Oliver was a Democrat with a sociology degree from Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University. Before her tenure in the state Assembly, she served on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders from 1996 to 1999.
In 2010, she made history as the first Black woman to serve as Assembly speaker, a position she held until 2013 when she lost it to Assemblyman Vincent Prieto.
In 2017, Murphy selected her as his running mate, and they secured victory, making her the second New Jersey lieutenant governor since the position’s creation under former Republican Gov. Chris Christie. The pair was re-elected in 2021.
Oliver was known for her eloquence as a public speaker and often accompanied Gov. Murphy at bill-signing ceremonies and other official functions, where he introduced her as his “rocking” lieutenant governor.