Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint a new Lt. Governor to replace Sheila Oliver, who died today at age 71 after an extended illness.
The post is a direct appointment that does not require Senate confirmation.
Leading candidates include Secretary of State Tahesha Way and Assemblywomen Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Trenton), Britnee Timberlake (D-East Orange), and Eliana Pintor-Marin (D-Newark).
Allies of the governor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, strongly believe Murphy will appoint a woman of color – more than likely, a Black woman – to succeed Oliver. Murphy has been a strong supporter of racial and gender diversity in his administration and is unlikely to consider a new lieutenant governor who would change that.
Some of his close advisors strongly suggest that the next lieutenant governor will not seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2025.
Murphy is also expected to move quickly on the naming of a new lieutenant governor, who will be next in the line of gubernatorial succession. He is making plans for a quick return to New Jersey; he left for a family vacation to Italy on Friday. He has 45 days to make the appointment.
He will also need to appoint a new Commissioner of Community Affairs, the cabinet post held by Oliver since 2018. The new lieutenant governor won’t necessarily go to community affairs; Murphy can designate Oliver’s successor to virtually any executive branch post except attorney general.
There are no special elections for lieutenant governor.
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