TRENTON — Governor Mikie Sherrill appointed Shirley U. Emehelu as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, and Emehelu took office on Monday, November 9.
The appointment marks the first time in state history that New Jersey will be led by both a woman Governor and a woman Lieutenant Governor.
Emehelu fills the vacancy left by Dale Caldwell, who resigned in September following an independent investigation. She had been serving as acting Secretary of State since his resignation, overseeing the administration of this month’s general election. Click here for the earlier story.
“From prosecuting financial fraud and rooting out waste and abuse, to defending civil rights and protecting consumers, Shirley has fought for New Jersey families at every step of her career,” said Governor Sherrill.
“New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in our nation. Shirley and I will ensure that every community has a seat at the table and that their needs are reflected in our agenda,” Sherrill said.
“I am honored by Governor Sherrill’s trust and the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey as Lieutenant Governor,” said Lieutenant Governor Emehelu.
The New Jersey Constitution does not require State Senate approval when the governor fills a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor.
Before her appointment, Emehelu served as Acting State Comptroller from the start of the Sherrill Administration. From 2022 to 2024, she was Executive Assistant Attorney General, the third-ranking official in the Attorney General’s Office, where she oversaw more than 500 attorneys and directed civil enforcement in areas including environmental protection, civil rights and data privacy.
She previously spent nine years at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecuting financial fraud, serving as Chief of Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering. She also clerked for United States District Judge James R. Spencer in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Emehelu earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a law degree from Yale Law School.
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