Oliver’s N.J. Senate bid may foreshadow future race

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says New Jersey needs a female representative in Washington.

She’s the only woman in a field of four Democrats campaigning for an open U.S. Senate seat.

If Oliver were to win, she would be the only woman in the state’s delegation of two senators and 12 members of the House of Representatives.

But with days to go until Tuesday’s primary, Oliver trails the pack, making it all but impossible to catch front-runner Cory Booker.

The 61-year-old says she might be back next year, when the full six-year Senate term will be decided.

In two debates, Oliver showed her command of foreign policy.

But she hasn’t developed the donor network or ground game that wins elections in New Jersey.