Democrat,

Happy Black History Month!

The diverse, dynamic Democratic Party we know today grew from the contributions of generations of Black Americans. This month, we’re taking the time to recognize the black leaders who have shaped the history of both our state and our party. Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy honored that tradition last week with a Black History Month reception at Drumthwacket.

New Jersey is blessed to have had a number of truly transformational African American political leaders in our history, all of whom contributed greatly to the hard work of advancing social justice. From Walter Gilbert Alexander, a son of former slaves and the first African American elected to the State Legislature, to Kenneth Gibson, the first African American Mayor of the City of Newark who inspired a generation of black political leaders, to Wynona M. Lipman, the first African American woman elected to the State Senate, to Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman, the first African American woman to represent our state in Congress, and so many others I simply want to say this: thank you for your dedication to public service and willingness to be an example for all of us to follow. 

Today, we are proud to be represented by African American leaders like our U.S. Senator Cory Booker, as well as Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., State Senators Ronald L. Rice, Shirley Turner, Nia Gill, Sandra Cunningham, and Troy Singleton, Assembly members William Spearman, Shavonda Sumter, Shanique Speight, Herb Conaway, Mila Jasey, Cleopatra Tucker, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Angela McKnight, Britnee Timberlake, Jamel Holley, Benjie Wimberly, Gordon Johnson, Adam Taliaferro and Linda Carter. Our state-level leaders are also supported by dozens of black local and county officials, like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and numerous others who join in advancing equality across New Jersey. Of course, we are also lucky to have party leaders like our NJDSC Chairman John Currie, Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, whose record of moving our party forward is second to none, and Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Dave Brown. 

New Jersey Democrats represent one of the most diverse states in our nation, and I am so proud that our party reflects all of the people who make New Jersey the state we know and love. 

Thank you,

Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver