Sherrill makes history by appointing Shirley Emehelu as new Lt. Gov.

For the first time in history, New Jersey will be led by two women after Gov. Mikie Sherrill appointed Shirley Emehelu the next lieutenant governor on Monday

Additionally, Emehelu will be the first immigrant to ever serve in that role, having immigrated from Nigeria as a child. Before taking the oath of office at the Statehouse with her husband and two children at her side, Emehelu said she was proud to mark the honor but expressed optimism that the next generation would continue to accomplish big things.

“I hope we can inspire the next generation to find their own ways to serve and make a little history of their own too,” Emehelu (emma-HELL-lou) said at a press conference Monday.

Both Sherrill and Emehelu focused on integrity and ethical service in their comments, in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations that ended the term of Sherrill’s prior pick, former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, after eight months in office.

Caldwell resigned in September after the governor demanded he do so over a report that detailed sexual misconduct and ethics violations, which he denied.

“During her inauguration, Governor Sherrill challenged her cabinet and all public servants across the state, to lead with competence, a strong moral compass, compassion, and commitment,” Emehelu said. “I promise the people of New Jersey to do exactly that every single day.”

Sherrill, who hand-picked Caldwell during her campaign last year, was asked if her vetting process was more careful this time.

“It’s always incredibly important to us that we vet people and that we run a government that is not only focused on the people we serve, but focused on accountability, so we can ensure that as we hold the public trust, it’s clear to the public that we serve.”

Emehelu was also appointed secretary of state, a role Caldwell had held. Emehelu initially served in an interim capacity, in charge of last Tuesday’s statewide elections, since Caldwell’s Sept. 25 resignation.

Sherrill praised Emehelu’s work ensuring the midterm elections went smoothly, and how she “ran toward the fight” rather than hide from it during a year where ballots and voting stations were under federal scrutiny.

Sherrill and Emehelu previously worked together as federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, and both lived in Montclair, where both of their children attended Watchung Elementary School. 

Emehelu has previously served as state comptroller and executive assistant attorney general in 2022, the third-highest-ranking position in the state’s attorney general’s office.

“I got to work with some incredible public servants in New Jersey who have devoted their lives to making government better,” Emehelu said. “What makes this state extraordinary is the ordinary people working everyday to help their neighbors, and uplift their communities. Like the governor said, public service is a privilege.”

The governor emphasized Emehelu’s broad experience, not just in public service but in representing other communities.

“It was important to me to have someone in the role that could speak for communities I wasn’t as familiar with,” Sherrill said.

Both Sherrill and Emehelu alluded to the need for a culture change in Trenton.

“Solving those challenges won’t just require new policy,” Emehelu said. “It’ll also require a new culture in government. Good government is about prioritizing the people we serve. It’s about honesty, integrity, and transparency. It’s about doing everything you can to help the public.”

As lieutenant governor, Emehelu will serve as acting governor whenever Sherrill leaves the state, which she did quite frequently in October to campaign for Democrats nationwide.

“As a black woman and Nigerian American, I am proud of what this appointment represents for our state, and especially for the communities that share my heritage. This is a milestone we can celebrate together,” she said.

This article is written by Ryan Conway, courtesy of the NJ State House News Service