Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver Endorses Congressman Payne

NJ’s Highest Ranking Black Woman Elected Official Offers Support to Democratic Congressman

NEWARK, NJ – Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, New Jersey’s highest ranking Black woman elected official, is endorsing her longtime friend and colleague U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr., (D-Newark). One of the state’s true trailblazers, Lt. Governor Oliver previously served as the state’s first Black woman Assembly Speaker prior to winning her current position as Lt. Governor along with Governor Phil Murphy in 2017, and being re-elected last year.

“Donald Payne, Sr., was one of my heroes and a true mentor to so many others who shared his commitment to public service, and his son Donald Payne, Jr., has distinguished himself by carrying on that legacy of delivering for working people,” said Lt. Governor Oliver. “From getting legislation passed and signed to make Medicaid cover essential cancer screenings, to creating thousands of quality middle class jobs by writing the House version of President Biden’s infrastructure bill, to keeping our communities safe by providing federal resources for law enforcement, Congressman Payne is a fighter and a champion for Essex, Hudson and Union counties.”

Lt. Governor Oliver’s endorsement comes on the heels of the Payne campaign announcing the support of Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese, another of the state’s leading Black woman elected officials. Congressman Payne values his relationship with Black women leaders tremendously and will be announcing additional support from this vital constituency that represents the backbone of the Democratic Party.

“Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver has devoted her life to public service, and throughout all of her roles in government she has always been guided by an overriding principle of helping working families succeed,” said Congressman Payne. “It’s an honor to have Sheila’s support and to work closely with her on her team on the priorities we share, like providing more affordable housing, creating quality union jobs, protecting women’s access to health care services and much more.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund,  New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

About Congressman Payne:

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.