New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, aged 71, sadly passed away on Tuesday after being admitted to the hospital due to an undisclosed medical issue. At the time of her demise, Oliver had assumed the role of acting governor, stepping in for Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy while he was away. As per the state constitution, Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari has now taken on the responsibilities as acting governor.
Oliver's family released a statement honoring her dedication to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community. They expressed their intention to provide further information and details regarding memorial arrangements in due course, according to ABC 7 New York.
During his vacation in Italy, Gov. Murphy reflected on his decision to choose Oliver as his running mate in 2017, describing it as "the best decision I ever made." As the first black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly in New Jersey, Oliver was a true trailblazer and an inspiration to countless women across the nation.