New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has appointed Shirley U. Emehelu as lieutenant governor and secretary of state, marking the first time in state history that women have simultaneously held the governor’s and lieutenant governor’s offices.
Emehelu assumed both positions Nov. 9, following a selection process that included consultations with community leaders and a review of potential candidates.
She previously served as acting state comptroller and acting secretary of state under the Sherrill administration, bringing experience in government oversight, financial fraud investigations, civil litigation and public administration.
As lieutenant governor, Emehelu will serve as a senior member of the administration while continuing to oversee the New Jersey Department of State, which has responsibilities involving elections, cultural programs, business services and other state functions.
Her appointment follows her oversight of the state’s November elections while serving as acting secretary of state.
Before assuming those responsibilities, Emehelu served as acting state comptroller, leading efforts to identify fraud, waste and abuse in government spending and strengthen accountability for public funds.
From 2022 to 2024, she served as New Jersey’s executive assistant attorney general, the third-highest-ranking position in the state Attorney General’s Office.
In that role, she advised the attorney general, helped oversee more than 500 attorneys in the Division of Law and directed civil litigation and enforcement involving environmental protection, civil rights, consumer protection, labor laws, firearms safety and data privacy.
Emehelu previously spent nine years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, prosecuting complex financial fraud cases.
She also served as chief of asset recovery and anti-money laundering, overseeing federal asset forfeiture and victim restitution programs.
Earlier in her legal career, Emehelu clerked for U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer in the Eastern District of Virginia.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her law degree from Yale Law School.
Sherrill said Emehelu’s background in financial oversight, civil rights enforcement and consumer protection aligns with the administration’s priorities of reducing costs, improving government accountability and expanding economic opportunities.
The appointment drew support from several public officials and advocacy organizations.
U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., described Emehelu as a public servant with experience protecting the public interest and said he looked forward to working with the administration on affordability and community issues.
Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, highlighted Emehelu’s responsibilities in overseeing election administration and implementing the state’s John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act.
Former U.S. Treasury official and federal prosecutor Jim Johnson also praised Emehelu’s experience and approach to government accountability.
Photo courtesy of the State of New Jersey
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