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

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who rose to become one of New Jersey's most prominent Black leaders and passionately advocated for revitalizing cities and against gun violence, died Tuesday after a sudden illness. She was 71.

- Mike Catalni

No cause of death was given, according to a statement from her family issued by Gov. Phil Murphy's office. Oliver was serving as acting governor while Murphy and his family are on vacation in Italy. His office said she had been hospitalized on Monday.

Murphy said he and his family are distraught at the news. Naming Oliver as his lieutenant governor was, he said, "the best decision I ever made."

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.

In contrast to her predecessor, who rarely appeared alongside Gov. Chris Christie, Oliver regularly stood at Murphy's side and signed several bills into law while serving as acting governor.

She 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.