New Jersey Governor Sherrill names Shirley Emehelu as lieutenant governor after Caldwell resignation
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Governor Mikie Sherrill selected former prosecutor Shirley Emehelu, currently acting secretary of state, to become lieutenant governor after Dale Caldwell resigned following an internal investigation that found sexual harassment and ethics violations.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Monday that she has chosen Shirley Emehelu, a former prosecutor who is currently acting secretary of state, to serve as the state’s lieutenant governor. The appointment follows the resignation of former lieutenant governor Dale Caldwell after an internal investigation found evidence of sexual harassment and ethics violations.
Emehelu, a Nigerian-American who previously served as acting state comptroller, will also retain the cabinet post of secretary of state, as required by state law. The governor said Emehelu’s work overseeing the state’s midterm election amid what she described as “attacks” by the Trump administration influenced her decision.
“That was pretty impressive. She worked around the clock,” Sherrill said.
Sherrill added that gender was not a deciding factor in the selection process, emphasizing that the appointment was based on experience and performance rather than identity politics.
“I did not go into the process thinking we had to have a certain gender in the role,” she said, noting that Emehelu is the first immigrant to hold the lieutenant governor position.
Emehelu described the appointment as a historic moment.
“It is a profound honor to make history with Governor Sherrill,” she said.
The selection comes after Democrats achieved significant gains in the recent midterm elections, including a record number of women elected to Congress from New Jersey and the flipping of two Republican House seats. In the 7th Congressional District, newcomer Rebecca Bennett defeated incumbent Rep. Tom Kean, while in the 2nd District, Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock unseated Rep. Jeff Van Drew.