On The Passing Of Lt. Gov. Oliver

knew her and worked with her.

Lt. Gov. Oliver entered elected public service in 1996 when voters made her an Essex County freeholder. She was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 2003, and went on to serve as the Assembly Speaker for four years. She was hailed as a trailblazer as she was the first black woman to hold that position and only the second to preside over a legislative body in the country.

In 2017, she was elected lieutenant governor as the running mate of Gov. Phil Murphy, becoming the first woman of color elected to statewide office in New Jersey. She was reelected with Gov. Murphy in 2021.

Perhaps less important than the offices she held was the way she conducted herself in those offices. The tributes pouring in from my Republican colleagues attest that, despite having significant policy and political differences with her, she was admired for how she treated opponents with respect and professionalism.

“She was a force, but not forceful,” said Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio.

“She was a devout public servant and an incred- ibly kind person,” Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco said, adding that he was in the Assembly when Oliver became Speaker. “I will miss our friendship and work together,” he added.

Government and politics can be tough, but forging good relationships – even with those whose priorities don’t match our own – not only reduces bad blood, but also can often result in getting things accomplished for the voters who chose us to represent them.

I’ve found that to be true personally, as I’ve teamed up with legislators who have far different political leanings from mine to move good proposals through the Assembly. As the first anniversary of my joining the Assembly approaches, I count the many things I’ve been able to accomplish, and appreciate that it was teamwork that allowed a freshman legislator to do those things.

This is not to say that an elected official doesn’t need to fight sometimes, especially when the stakes are high and the potential harm is real. I found it necessary to get a bit aggressive when fighting terrible proposed funding cuts to Jackson and other area schools, because of the harm they would have caused to students, school staff and others. But it’s important to focus on the issue and not veer off into personal attacks, which are not just wrong but also counterproductive.

From what I hear, the late Sheila Oliver handled disagreements along these lines. She appears to have understood what all elected officials should, that criticism comes with the job and can sometimes even be helpful in clarifying our thinking on a given issue.

For those like me, who disagreed with the lieutenant governor on a number of issues, Sheila Oliver nevertheless has our respect for choosing to be what Theodore Roosevelt famously called “the man in the arena”: the person who takes the criticism and sometimes doesn’t succeed because that’s what comes with getting off the sidelines and having an impact.

To the late “woman in the arena,” rest in peace knowing you inspired others to enter that arena.

Alex Sauickie is a life-long Jackson resident who represents his home town and 13 other towns in the State Assembly. Follow him on Facebook (/AssemblymanAlex) and on Instagram (@AssemblymanAlex), or visit his website at AssemblymanAlex.com.