Tahesha Way | |
---|---|
3rd Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey | |
Assumed office September 8, 2023 | |
Governor | Phil Murphy |
Preceded by | Sheila Oliver |
34th Secretary of State of New Jersey | |
Assumed office January 16, 2018 Acting: January 16, 2018 – February 26, 2018 | |
Governor | Phil Murphy |
Preceded by | Kim Guadagno |
Personal details | |
Born | Tahesha Leila Wright 1971 or 1972 (age 51–52) New York City, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Charles Way |
Children | 4 |
Education |
Brown University (
BA) University of Virginia ( JD) |
Tahesha Leila Way (née Wright; born 1971 or 1972) [1] [2] is an American politician, lawyer, and judge from New Jersey. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as the state's third lieutenant governor since 2023, and as its 34th secretary of State since 2018. She was previously a member and director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders in Passaic County, New Jersey.
Way grew up in The Bronx. [3] She earned her undergraduate degree in English and American literature from Brown University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. She worked as a law clerk, a television producer for Court TV, and a literature professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. [4]
Way was admitted to the state bar in 1998. [5] She worked as a lawyer in Totowa, New Jersey, and as an administrative law judge. [2] [6]
Way was appointed to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2006. [5] In December 2017, Governor-elect Phil Murphy selected Way as the next Secretary of State of New Jersey. [7] She was sworn in as New Jersey's 34th Secretary of State on February 26, 2018. [8]
On September 8, 2023, Murphy appointed Way as lieutenant governor of New Jersey, filling the vacancy triggered by the death of Sheila Oliver. [1] As the lieutenant governor of New Jersey is constitutionally required to simultaneously hold an appointed cabinet position, Way continues to serve as Secretary of State. [2]
Way is married to former New York Giants running back Charles Way. They have four children. [5] [2]