New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver dead at 71

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver died Tuesday after she was taken to the hospital for an undisclosed medical issue. She was 71.

Oliver was serving as acting governor at the time of her death while Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy was out of the state. Democratic Senate President Nicholas Scutari is now serving as acting governor under the state constitution.

"We will remember her commitment to the people of New Jersey and her tireless efforts to uplift the community. Further information and details regarding memorial arrangements will be provided in due course," her family said in a statement, according to ABC 7 New York. 

Murphy, who is vacationing in Italy, said picking Oliver as his running mate in 2017 was "the best decision I ever made."

As the first black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly in New Jersey, Murphy described Oliver as a "trailblazer" and said she inspired millions of women everywhere.

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