Oliver officially joins Murphy’s re-election ticket

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver would join his ticket for a second term.

The announcement was widely expected and follows public statements about the ticket from Murphy and Oliver at the Democratic State Committee’s reorganization in mid-June.

“From building an economy that works for everyone to creating safe, affordable housing options for working families, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver understands as well as anyone how far we’ve come and how much work we’ve left ahead,” Murphy said. “I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made together, and I cannot say enough about her invaluable partnership.”

Before being sworn in as lieutenant governor in 2018, Oliver represented the 34th legislative district in the Assembly for 14 years, including four as speaker between 2010 and 2014.

Oliver was the first Black woman to hold New Jersey’s speakership — and the second woman overall — and only the second in the nation to lead a lower chamber.

She was also the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New Jersey.

The lieutenant governor also serves as the commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.

“Over the past three-plus years, Governor Murphy has been a breath of fresh air, and he’s governing based on facts and the best interests of all 9.3 million New Jerseyans, not the well-connected few,” said Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. “To keep moving forward, we need to lift up our entire New Jersey family, and that’s exactly what we’re committed to doing.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has not yet announced a running mate.