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.