NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill Appoints Shirley Emehelu as Lt. Governor, Secretary of State
Emehelu Becomes Third Woman of Color of Hold Position Over Last 2 Administrations
AC JosepH Media
TRENTON – Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Monday appointed Shirley U. Emehelu as New Jersey’s next Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State.
The appointment marks the first time in state history that New Jersey will be led by both a woman Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Emehelu follows in the footsteps of the late Sheila Oliver and Tahesha Way as women of color who have recently held the lieutenant governor’s post.
According to the New Jersey Globe, Emehelu worked with Sherrill as federal prosectors in New Jersey. She is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, both doctors, who moved to the United States when Emehelu was 3.
Emehelu assumed office as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State immediately on Monday, replacing Dr. Dale Caldwell. The governor’s office said her selection followed a comprehensive review of a wide range of candidates, consultation with leaders across New Jersey’s diverse communities, and rigorous vetting.
“I am honored by Governor Sherrill’s trust and the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey as Lieutenant Governor,” Emehelu said in a statement. “I’ve spent my career upholding the law, protecting families, and rooting out fraud, abuse, and corruption.
“As Lieutenant Governor and continuing my role as Secretary of State, I’ll bring that same tenacity to lowering costs, expanding opportunity for every community, and ensuring government delivers for the people we serve.”
Sherill said Emehelu will “bring a different kind of leadership” to Trenton” rooted in accountability, relentless dedication to service, and a commitment to putting New Jerseyans first,
“Shirley embodies those qualities. 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.”
Sherrill said that Emehelu maintains strong leadership at the Secretary of State’s office after successfully overseeing the smooth administration of our elections last week.
“She pairs the highest ethical standards with the same tenacity to run toward our toughest challenges, and I am proud to have her by my side as we work to deliver for the people of New Jersey,” Sherrill said. “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.”
Prior to this role and before becoming Acting Secretary of State, Emehelu served as Acting State Comptroller since the beginning of the Sherrill Administration, leading efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, protect taxpayer dollars, and strengthen government accountability.
From 2022 to 2024, she served as New Jersey’s Executive Assistant Attorney General, the third-ranking official in the Attorney General’s Office.
She counseled the Attorney General, coordinated oversight of more than 500 attorneys in the Division of Law, and directed civil litigation and enforcement matters involving environmental protection, civil rights, consumer and labor protections, firearms safety, and data privacy.
Emehelu previously spent nine years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, prosecuting complex financial fraud and serving as Chief of Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering, overseeing programs including federal asset forfeiture and victim restitution.
She clerked for U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer in the Eastern District of Virginia and earned her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her law degree from Yale Law School.
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