Gov. Sherrill names Shirley U. Emehelu as Lt Gov. and Secretary of State!
For the first time, two women will be in charge of the governorship and the vice-governorship.
TRENTON –
Governor Mikey Sherrill today announced the appointment of Shirley U. Emehelu as the new Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State of New Jersey. With this appointment, for the first time, two women will hold the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.Emehelu officially assumed her duties as lieutenant governor and secretary of state today, Monday, November 9.
Her appointment was the result of a thorough evaluation process involving a broad pool of candidates, consultations with leaders from diverse communities across New Jersey, and a rigorous vetting and background check process.”I promised to bring a different style of leadership to Trenton, one based on accountability, an unwavering dedication to public service, and a commitment to putting the people of New Jersey first. Shirley Emehelu embodies those values,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill . “Throughout her career, Shirley has championed New Jersey families, from prosecuting financial fraud and combating waste and abuse to defending civil rights and protecting consumers.
Furthermore, Shirley brings strong leadership to the Secretary of State, having successfully overseen our elections last week. She combines the highest ethical standards with the same determination to tackle our toughest challenges. I am proud to have her by my side as we work to address the needs of the state’s residents. New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation. Shirley and I will ensure that all communities have a voice and a stake in decision-making, and that their needs are reflected in our agenda.”“I am honored by the trust Governor Sherrill has placed in me and the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey as Lieutenant Governor,” said Lieutenant Governor Emehelu . “I have dedicated my career to enforcing the law, protecting families, and fighting fraud, abuse, and corruption. As Lieutenant Governor, and continuing to serve as Secretary of State, I will bring that same determination to lowering the cost of living, expanding opportunities for all communities, and ensuring that government is responsive to the people we serve.
”Prior to this appointment, Emehelu served as acting secretary of state and, since the beginning of the Sherrill administration, as acting state comptroller. In that role, she led efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, protect taxpayer money, and strengthen government accountability.From 2022 to 2024, she served as First Executive Assistant to the Attorney General of New Jersey, the third-highest-ranking position in the Attorney General’s Office. In that role, she advised the Attorney General, coordinated the oversight of more than 500 attorneys in the Law Division, and led civil litigation and law enforcement cases related to environmental protection, civil rights, consumer and worker protection, firearms safety, and data privacy.Previously, I worked for nine years at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where I prosecuted serious financial fraud cases and served as Chief of Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering. There, I oversaw programs such as federal asset forfeiture and restitution to victims.He also served as a judicial clerk for U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer in the Eastern District of Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his law degree from Yale Law School.
