Governor Sherrill Appoints Shirley U. Emehelu as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State  

TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill today 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 assumed office as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State on Monday, November 9. 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 promised to 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 values," said Governor Mikie Sherrill. "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. Shirley also 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. 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."

“I am honored by Governor Sherrill’s trust and the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey as Lieutenant Governor,” said Lieutenant Governor Shirley U. Emehelu. "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."

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.

"I have had the privilege of knowing Shirley Emehelu for decades. I have had the joy of working with her on matters public and commercial. She improves the posture of everyone in any room she enters. She brings tremendous gifts to the work, and she gets the job done. Governor Sherrill has appointed an extraordinary partner in Shirley Emehelu. Shirley’s integrity and effectiveness are unmatched. With this selection, Governor Sherrill has made clear her commitment to an accountable government that creates opportunity and brings down costs,” said Jim Johnson, former Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Prosecutor.

"Shirley Emehelu exemplifies public service. Her commitment to justice, accountability, and protecting the public’s trust makes her an excellent choice to serve as New Jersey’s next Lieutenant Governor. I applaud Governor Sherrill for selecting a proven and dedicated public servant who will be a champion for good government," said Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08). "New Jersey residents deserve leaders who work every day to deliver for them, and Shirley brings that commitment to this role. I look forward to working with her and Governor Sherrill to lower costs, protect our communities, and expand opportunities for working families across our state.”

"I’m proud to see two women leading our state. Today is a win for women, for the Black community, and for all New Jerseyans," said Jeannine LaRue. "Governor Sherrill made an outstanding choice. Shirley has been a fellow fighter for New Jersey families, and I’m proud to see her blaze a new trail as Lieutenant Governor. She’s rooted out fraud and abuse, taken on special interests, and fought to ensure our government puts people first. I know she’ll be a great partner for the Governor and continue taking on the big challenges head-on to deliver for New Jersey."

"Working families across New Jersey have an ally in Shirley Emehelu. She has never shied from a tough fight, and she has always prioritized the public good. She is a rare type of public servant who fully understands that the first goal of government should be to defend and uplift our communities," said Ryan Haygood, CEO, Southern Poverty Law Center

"Shirley Emehelu has dedicated much of her career to public service and has had a demonstrated commitment to accountability, with recent roles as Executive Assistant Attorney General and Acting Comptroller for New Jersey. In her new role as Lieutenant Governor, and in her role as Secretary of State, Ms. Emehelu will play a crucial role in enforcing the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act and protecting the ability for all New Jerseyans to be heard and represented by their government. As we continue to face unprecedented attacks on our rights and liberties, the ACLU-NJ looks forward to continuing to work with Lieutenant Governor Emehelu and Governor Sherrill's Administration to defend and expand the rights of all New Jerseyans, and ensure our state is the strongest firewall for freedom in the country," said Amol Sinha, Executive Director, ACLU of New Jersey.