TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy named Secretary of State Tahesha Way to be the state’s subsequent lieutenant governor, a month after Sheila Oliver died after a brief hospitalization.

Way’s appointment takes impact instantly as a result of the state structure doesn’t require Senate approval for the nomination. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner swore her in Friday outdoors the governor’s workplace.

Her high obligation might be filling in for the governor when he’s out of state or incapacitated, or if he can not serve. But she's going to keep on as secretary of state, overseeing elections in addition to the state museum and archives. Under the structure the lieutenant governor additionally holds a Cabinet place.

Way, accompanied by three of her 4 daughters and husband Charles Way, expressed gratitude for the chance to serve and promised to maintain the price of dwelling down and to guard basic freedoms.

“I will dedicate every day of my life to fighting for the forgotten families of our state,” she mentioned.

As secretary of state she oversaw the implementation of early in-person voting in addition to the 2020 election, which occurred nearly solely with mail-in ballots due to COVID-19 restrictions.

She succeeds Oliver, who died final month of unrevealed causes after a brief hospitalization whereas Murphy had been in another country.

Way, Democrat like Murphy, has served as secretary of state for the reason that begin of Murphy’s administration in early 2018. She was beforehand particular counsel to the Passaic County Board of Social Services.

She’s a graduate of Brown University and the University of Virginia School of Law and beforehand served as a county officeholder in Passaic and an administrative regulation choose.

Way is simply the third individual to carry the publish of lieutenant governor, a more recent state authorities place that started underneath earlier Gov. Chris Christie.

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