TRENTON, NJ – It has been five years since Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, the state’s first-ever Lt. Governor and first female Lt. Governor, has left office—still, no official portrait of her hangs in the Trenton Statehouse.
To commission a portrait of the late Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, Murphy has also commissioned a portrait of her predecessor and his former political opponent, Kim Guadagno.,
Guadagno doesn’t appear to be phased by the late mention.
“Sheila Oliver and I shared a unique bond, as the only Lt. Governors in the State of NJ. We shared insights into the role & a commitment to public service. She was the kind of leader who inspired everyone she met. This is a huge loss for the state of NJ and for me personally,” Guadagno said after Oliver’s passing last week.
In remembrance of The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, Governor Phil Murphy announced the commissioning of her official portrait for display in the New Jersey State House today. A portrait will also be commissioned for Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who served as New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor.
“As we continue to remember the life and service of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, I am deeply moved to announce the commissioning of a portrait that will stand as a testament to her legacy,” said Governor Murphy. “Sheila’s unwavering dedication to the people of New Jersey has left an enduring mark on our state, one that will be immortalized in the halls of our State House forever.”
“Lieutenant Governors play pivotal roles in gubernatorial administrations, but to date, unlike former governors, they have not been recognized with official portraits,” continued Governor Murphy. “It is time to address this shortcoming and set a new standard to commemorate their time in public service. I couldn’t think of two more deserving candidates for these portraits than these two exceptional women who have served our state with distinction for decades.”
“As we continue to grapple with the passing of our beloved Sheila, our hearts swell with pride and gratitude for the lasting mark she left on New Jersey,” said the Oliver Family. “This portrait will stand as a tribute not only to her remarkable career of public service, but also as a source of inspiration for generations to come. This is a testament to her enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to her community and state.”
“I would first like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, who made a lasting mark on our state through her incredible public service career,” said former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. “Sheila was a well-respected colleague whose historic tenure as Assembly Speaker overlapped with my time as Lieutenant Governor. And, as the first two Lieutenant Governors of New Jersey, Sheila and I shared a unique bond of serving the residents of our great state.”