Emehelu, the acting secretary of state, is the first immigrant named to the role, and it’s the first time women would hold the state’s top two offices.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has named acting New Jersey Secretary of State Shirley Emehelu as her new lieutenant governor.
Sherrill needed a new second-in-command after an internal investigation found that former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell sexually harassed female staff. Caldwell resigned September 25, leaving the position vacant.
The appointment comes with some milestones. For the first time in state history, women will hold the state’s two highest executive offices. Emehelu, who is Nigerian American, is also the first immigrant to serve as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor.
At a press conference announcing the decision, Sherrill said gender and race had nothing to do with the choice. She instead pointed to Emehelu’s leadership in the weeks before the midterm elections, even amid alleged attacks by the Trump administration, as a primary reason.
Emehelu joined the administration as acting comptroller and was elevated to secretary of state after Caldwell’s resignation.
Before that, she spent almost a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of New Jersey, largely handling white-collar crime, public corruption, and anti-money laundering cases. She later worked at CSG Law, according to Politico.
Emehelu called it a “profound honor” to make history alongside Sherrill. “As lieutenant governor, I look forward to working alongside governor Sherrill and these dedicated public servants to make life more affordable, and expand opportunity for all our communities.”
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
