New Jersey’s lieutenant governor is dead at 71, Save Jerseyans, after an apparently brief hospitalization.
Oliver’s passing stunned the Garden State political universe.
“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 family of the late Democrat said in a released statement.
The Murphy Administration announced on Monday that Oliver was hospitalized and unable to fulfill her duties…
.@LTGovOliver is currently receiving medical care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and is unable to discharge the duties of Acting Governor at this time. Pursuant to Article V, Section I, paragraph 7 of the New Jersey Constitution, @SenPresScutari has assumed…
— Mahen Gunaratna (@GunaRockYa) July 31, 2023
No cause of death was immediately released.
An Essex Democrat and former speaker of the State Assembly with a long history in the political arena, Oliver had served as Governor Phil Murphy’s second in command since January 2018 and would’ve continued in her post until January 2026. Oliver was only the state’s second lieutenant governor since the office was created shortly before Kim Guadagno’s election in 2009.
“Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver,” Murphy tweeted early Tuesday afternoon. “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
