Democrat Phil Murphy's Pick for Lt. Governor Veers from Usual Playbook

The name Sheila Oliver might not ring a bell for a lot of New Jersey voters, but it carries the political heft Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy needs as an outsider in Trenton. That's why Murphy chose Oliver to be his Lieutenant Governor  in the November 7th election. He's hoping she brings value to his campaign, in several ways:

1. Oliver has what Murphy does not - experience in elected office. Murphy is a former Wall Street executive who served as an ambassador to Germany under President Barack Obama. But he's never been elected to public office. Oliver, however, is a seasoned New Jersey politician who has served on the East Orange School Board and as an Essex County Freeholder. Her most powerful position has been as a State Assemblywoman.

2. While in the State Assembly, Oliver learned that Trenton is a snake pit.   As assembly speaker,  Oliver was required to negotiate with Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney on legislation, and to work with legislators to get votes on bills. Oliver was effective in convincing skeptical legislators to pass a gay marriage law in New Jersey. But her support of Christie's pension reform plan cost her politically by upsetting union members, especially teachers. She was replaced as Speaker.

3. Murphy is pushing a left-leaning progressive agenda that includes imposing a millionaires tax, legalizing marijuana, and addressing tensions between police and black communities. Candidates typically pivot to the center in a general election, but this is an unusual election year -- when the popularity of President Donald Trump and Republican Governor Christie is at a record low, so Murphy is continuing to hang left. Oliver has a record of championing civil rights, which brings credibility to his campaign.

4. She's black, and let's face it, race matters to Democrats in New Jersey who support Murphy's political agenda. Insiders say the party is concerned Trenton could very well have three Irish-American men controlling the state. That's what could happen if Murphy wins, and if Assemblyman Vincent Prieto - a Cuban-American, is pushed out as the current Speaker and replaced by Assemblyman Craig Coughlin, as some are predicting. The Senate President is Steve Sweeney. Adding Oliver to the ticket changes the optics. It also gives Oliver a political edge if in a few years, she decides to run for governor.