In a shocking development, New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver on Tuesday died at the age of 71. Sheila Oliver was rushed to the hospital a day back, however, breathed her last on Tuesday. After Sheila Olive's death, her family issued a statement that said, "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." For the unversed, Sheila Oliver was serving as acting Governor with Gov. Phil Murphy who was on a vacation. After Sheila Oliver was rushed to the hospital, the Democratic Senate President, Nicholas Scutari, took over as acting governor. Now, the question arises what is Sheila Oliver's death reason or what actually happened to Sheila Oliver? Below is everything we know so far-
What happened to Sheila Oliver?
As per US media reports, Murphy’s spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna while addressing the media stated that Sheila Oliver was rushed to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. She was unable to carry out the duties of acting governor. Talking about Sheila Oliver's health, the spokesperson stated that Sheila Oliver was receiving 'medical care' but declined to elaborate on what sickness or anything else.
For the unaware, Sheila Oliver is a Democrat who has served as the state’s second lieutenant governor since 2018. Not only this, Sheila Oliver concurrently served as the head of the Department of Community Affairs, which coordinates state aid to towns and cities and oversees code enforcement. Back in 2010, Sheila Oliver became the first African-American woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly in the state’s history.
After Olivcer's death, Gov. Phil Murphy took to his Twitter handle and posted a long note for the late Democrat. In his note, Gov. Phil Murphy said, "When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of the word," Murphy said in a statement. "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."
Read the full note here-
Tammy and I, and our children, are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and partner in government, @LtGovOliver.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 1, 2023
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
What did Americans say about Sheila Oliver's death?
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A user wrote, "I was just thinking about her 3 days ago. I hope she receives the state funeral she deserves as acting Governor. This is a great loss of one of the finest women we have been privileged to have serve for all of New Jersey. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends."
Another user wrote, "There are some truly detestable responses to this, including people brazenly asserting that she passed away from the COVID-19 vaccine. Just another example of how @elonmusk has done irreparable damage to this platform."
There are some truly detestable responses to this, including people brazenly asserting that she passed away from the COVID-19 vaccine. Just another example of how @elonmusk has done irreparable damage to this platform
— Elliot Bell-Krasner (@ElliotEBK) August 1, 2023
One more user wrote, "A sad day for NJ. Lt Gov Sheila Oliver was a genuine and compassionate woman of great integrity. Her good government principles will be missed and her legacy as a trailblazing public servant will live on."