The Lt. Governor of New Jersey just died today while Governor Murphy is traveling abroad in Italy.

Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome-Sears passed on her condolences a few minutes ago:

Here’s more:

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who was serving as acting governor while Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy was out of the state, has died at the age of 71.

Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly died Tuesday following her hospitalization for an undisclosed medical issue Monday.

She was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and was unable to carry out the duties of acting governor. Under the state constitution, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari was serving as acting governor.

I don’t know how long Murphy will be away, but I expect he’ll cut his overseas visit short.