NEW YORK, NY November 24, 2009 —It was just weeks ago that New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine was defeated handily by Republican Chris Christie. Now Democratic legislators who control both the state Assembly and Senate have revamped their entire leadership team.

Come January, Essex County Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver will become Assembly Speaker.

OLIVER: This legislative leadership team will be prepared to work in partnership with Governor-Elect Christie to face the issues in bi-partisan fashion. We will be fair and we will look for common ground.

REPORTER: Oliver will be the first African-American woman to hold the post, one of the most powerful in state government. Oliver was first elected to her local school board, then to Essex County Freeholders and than to the Assembly in 2004.

In the Senate, Democrats chose Middlesex Senator Barbara Buono as the first female Senate Majority Leader. And Gloucester County Senator Steve Sweeney will replace Senate President Dick Codey.