Sheila Oliver, New Jersey's lieutenant governor and a prominent Black leader, dies at 71

Phil Murphy

She was the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey, winning the vote alongside Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021. She was a well-known figure in state government, and made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black woman to lead the state Assembly., Oliver regularly stood at Murphy's side and signed several bills into law while serving as acting governor.

“We are tired of funerals and memorials,” Oliver said. “Growing up in Newark, I tell young people I could go to any section of this city by myself or with my friends. Our young people cannot do that today.” Christie, who’s running for the Republican nomination for president, worked with her during his first term when she was Assembly speaker and remembered her as “a great person and partner” and said in a tweet that her passing was a loss for him personally as well as the state.

“She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color,” Murphy said in a statement Tuesday."Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable.”

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