BREAKING: New Jersey Acting Governor Dies at 71

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who was serving as acting governor while Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy is vacationing in Italy, passed away at the age of 71.

Oliver died Tuesday after being hospitalized Monday for an undisclosed medical issue.

“Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver,” Gov. Phil Murphy wrote.

“We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver.
 
We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ty6drz7DgY

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 1, 2023

Before her current role as lieutenant governor, Oliver became the first black woman to serve as speaker of the state assembly.

BREAKING: New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, died Tuesday.

She was 71.
https://t.co/kh3W7EzFfE

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 1, 2023

“She was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and was unable to carry out the duties of acting governor,” WABC reports.

“Under the state constitution, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari was serving as acting governor.”

Oliver’s family released the following statement:

“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. As we come to terms with this profound loss, we kindly request that you respect the privacy of the Oliver family during this difficult time as they grieve their beloved Sheila. 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. 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.”

BREAKING: New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who had assumed the role of acting governor while Gov. Phil Murphy was away from the state, has passed away after being hospitalized for an undisclosed medical condition.https://t.co/6OAnFdWcai

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 1, 2023

More from WABC:

Oliver, a Democrat, had served as the state’s second lieutenant governor since 2018. She concurrently served as the head of the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and oversees code enforcement.

In 2010, she became the first African-American woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly in the state’s history. She had served in the Assembly since 2004 and served on the Essex County board of chosen freeholders from 1996 to 1999.

Oliver was a compelling public speaker and frequent attendee at Murphy’s bill signings and other events, where he typically introduced her as his “rocking” lieutenant governor.

In 2021 while unveiling tighter gun legislation alongside Murphy, Oliver’s voice cracked as she lamented the gun violence that disproportionately affected cities in the state. Speaking in her native Newark, Oliver lamented what she suggested was runaway gun violence.

“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.”

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It was unclear who would immediately succeed her. The state constitution calls for the state Senate president to serve as acting governor if the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state or incapacitated.

“But as I became more educated and as I began to hear real facts come out of the transition team of the Biden administration, I became a believer in the vaccine. I have been vaccinated because, you know, I am in that age category. I do have an underlying condition, and I have been a cheerleader for the vaccine as have many others like me,” Oliver said in March 2021 while discussing New Jersey’s COVID-19 jab rollout.

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