NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has selected Tahesha Way to serve as Lieutenant Governor, replacing Shelia Oliver who died early last month.
Way was sworn in this morning. She is the second Black woman to serve as lieutenant governor and will be the third ever lieutenant governor of New Jersey.
“In every position I have held, from my days as a state judge and my current role of secretary of state, the people of New Jersey have graced me with the opportunity to serve,” said Way, who served under Murphy as secretary of state since 2018.
Governor Murphy says Way is immensely qualified to step in as governor if necessary, citing her education as a graduate of Brown University and Virginia Law School, and her career as a public servant.
“She is brilliant,” he added. “She is battle tested and she represents the very best of New Jersey.”
Prior to becoming secretary of state, Way was an administrative law judge for the state and a Passaic County Board Freehold Director.
In her current position, she serves as New Jersey’s top election official, overseeing elections in the state. She is also the first Black person and first Secretary from New Jersey to be president of the National Association of Secretaries of State.
“In every position I have held, from my days as a state judge and my current role of secretary of state, the people of New Jersey have graced me with the opportunity to serve,” Way said.