'Journey Of A Lifetime': Wayne's Tahesha Way Becomes Next NJ Lieutenant Governor

WAYNE, NJ — On Friday, Tahesha Way said she has been "on the journey of a lifetime" since she became a Passaic County Freeholder more than 15 years ago, as she joined Gov. Phil Murphy for the first time as New Jersey's lieutenant governor.

The Bronx native, who served as Secretary of State for more than five years, will succeed the late Sheila Oliver as the second-highest ranking official in state government (behind Murphy himself).

"To me, Sheila was more than a trusted colleague," Way said on Friday. "She was a cherished friend, a mentor, and a role model to me and the countless other Black women who have chosen a career in public service. And now, as Lieutenant Governor, I will have the solemn honor of building upon Sheila’s towering legacy."

Following Oliver's death on Aug. 1, Murphy had 45 days to choose a replacement (as laid out in the state constitution). The governor said Way "dedicated every ounce of herself to serving our state’s families" even before she joined his administration officially in 2018.

"She is brilliant," Murphy said of Way. "She is battle-tested. And she represents the best of New Jersey."

Way, 51, will be the third person to serve in the lieutenant governor position. She lives in Wayne with her husband Charles (a former New York Giants player) and their four children: Fallon, Farrah, Faythe, and Fiona.

She thanked her late parents, Rosa and Robert, who both worked for the New York City Transit Authority. Way credited them for teaching her to work hard; to be "tough, yet respectful;" and to "just be present as I dedicate myself to enriching my community."

Way was first elected to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2006, becoming Freeholder Director in 2009. She also served as an administrative law judge.

"Ever since I was first elected to public office as a Freeholder for Passaic County, which I am proud to call my home, I have been on the journey of a lifetime," she said.

As Secretary of State, Way oversaw the state Division of Elections and a number of other state offices. Way holds a juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law at Charlottesville; there, she clerked for the Virginia Legal Aid Society and the United Steelworkers of America, according to her profile on the state website. She was sworn in on Feb. 26, 2018.

She also was chair of the Complete Count Commission during the 2020 U.S. Census, and oversaw state government offices supporting the state's arts, culture, business, and history communities.

Way has been a member of multiple other committees, councils, and associations in her career, including: The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, Women Empowered Democratic Organization of Passaic County, New Jersey State Bar Association, Garden State Bar Association, National Association of Women Judges, Association of Black Women Lawyers, Passaic County Bar Association, and the New Jersey Women’s Lawyers Association.

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