New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has died at 71, a day after being hospitalized with an undisclosed medical condition.
Oliver was Governor Phil Murphy’s top deputy and was acting as Governor for him while he was out of the country on vacation.
The cause of death has not yet been announced, according to a statement by Murphy’s office.
Murphy’s office had announced that Oliver was hospitalized on July 31, while filling in for him while he was on holiday with his family in Italy.
She was admitted to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with an undisclosed medical condition.
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has died at 71, a day after being hospitalized for a undisclosed medical condition
Statement from Gov. Murphy regarding the death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
The cause of death has not yet been declared, according to a statement by Murphy’s office
‘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 Oliver family said in a statement.
‘Sheila Y. Oliver leaves behind a legacy of dedication, service, and inspiration. We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community,’ the statement continued.
‘Further information and details regarding memorial arrangements will be provided in due course. Until then, we appreciate your understanding and support. May her memory be a source of comfort and strength to all who knew her.’
Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, signed various bills as acting governor.
One of which included a 2021 program to overhaul the state’s juvenile justice system in order to reintegrate young people into their society.
Oliver was elected twice as lieutenant governor under Murphy in 2017 and again in 2021.
Oliver was hospitalized on July 31 with an undisclosed condition
She was the second person to ever hold that position, which was created under the previous Gov. Chris Christie.
Murphy, who is currently still in Italy, released a statement following the news of the death of his colleague:
‘Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word.’
‘She had already made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the General Assembly, and just the second Black woman in the nation’s history to lead a house of a state Legislature. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the state of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made.’
‘In the five and a half years that we served together in office, in addition to her responsibilities as lieutenant governor, Sheila led the Department of Community Affairs, handling some of the most challenging issues facing our state, including the revitalization of our cities, affordable housing obligations and homelessness prevention.’
Oliver became the first black woman to serve as Assembly speaker in 2010 and has served in the Assembly since 2004
‘As someone who was born and raised in Newark, and who has called East Orange home for more than 40 years, Sheila did not view these issues in the abstract, because she lived with them every day of her life. 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.’
‘Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who knew and loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.’
It is unclear at this time who will succeed Oliver. It also unclear if Murphy will return early from his vacation.
Mahen Gunaratna, Murphy’s communications director, announced that state-senate president Nick Scutari would assume Oliver’s duties the morning after she was hospitalized, in accordance with the state constitution.
According to the state constitution, the state Senate president is to temporarily serve as governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are unable to act.
Oliver became the first black woman to serve as Assembly speaker in 2010 and has served in the Assembly since 2004.
She is a native of Newark, New Jersey, and attended Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University.
