TRENTON: It has just been reported that Lt Gov Sheila Oliver has died. The cause of death has yet to be revealed. Phil Murphy released the following statement from his home in Italy.

“Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened and distraught to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.

When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a tratiblazer in every sense of the word. She had already made history as the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, and just the second Black woman in the nation’s history to lead a house of a state legislature. I knew then that her decades of public service made her the ideal partner for me to lead the State of New Jersey. It was the best decision I ever made.

In the five and a half years that we served together in office, in addition to her responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor, Sheila led the Departnent of Community Aflairs, handling some of the most challenging issues facing our State, including the revitalization of our cities. attordable housine obligations and home essness prevention. As someone who was born and raised in Newark, and who has called East Orange home for more than 40 years, Sheila did not view these issues in the abstract because she lived with them every day ofher life. She brought a unique and invaluable perspective to our public policy discourse and served as an inspiration to millions of women and girls everywhere, especially young women of color.

Beyond all of that, she was an incredibly genuine and kind person whose friendship and partnership will be irreplaceable. We ask that you all keep the Oliver family and all those who knew and loved her in your thought and prayers during this difficult time.”