New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver dies at age 71

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver died at the age of 71. Her family confirmed the news but did not announce the cause of death. The Democrat was the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state's House of Representatives and the second in the nation's history to lead a state legislature.

Oliver worked as an aide to Governor Phil Murphy, who expressed that he and his family are shocked by the news. He recognized that appointing Oliver as his lieutenant governor was a good decision.

"Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the governor posted on Twitter.

Lieutenant Governor Oliver described herself as a "Jersey girl." She was born and raised in Newark. The governor's official website states "Under her leadership, the Department has also expanded and leveraged a wide range of initiatives aimed at assisting distressed municipalities, including the federal Opportunity Zones tax incentive, the Main Street New Jersey program, the Neighborhood Preservation Program, the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, and the Urban Enterprise Zone Program, which was renewed by legislation she signed in 2021," according to the governor's official website.