TRENTON, NJ — November 6, 2026 — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has selected Shirley Emehelu, a former federal prosecutor and the state’s current acting secretary of state, to become New Jersey’s next lieutenant governor, according to reports published Friday.
The appointment is expected to be formally announced on Monday, November 9, marking a significant leadership change in the Sherrill administration following the resignation of former Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell in September.
The decision was first reported by the New Jersey Globe and subsequently confirmed by The Philadelphia Inquirer through sources familiar with the selection.
Emehelu, 48, is a Montclair resident with extensive experience in federal prosecution, state government, financial investigations, and public administration.
Her selection will also mark a historic milestone: for the first time, New Jersey will have two women serving simultaneously as governor and lieutenant governor.
Who Is Shirley Emehelu?
Born in Nigeria, Shirley U. Emehelu immigrated to the United States with her family when she was three years old.
She graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School before beginning a legal career that included federal prosecution, private practice, and senior positions in New Jersey government.
From 2010 to 2019, Emehelu served as an assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey, where she handled complex financial crimes, money laundering investigations, public corruption cases, and asset recovery.
During her federal prosecutorial career, she also served as chief of asset recovery and anti-money laundering, overseeing programs involving financial forfeiture and restitution for crime victims.
Her professional background includes work at major law firms and service in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
In 2022, she joined the administration of former Governor Phil Murphy as executive assistant attorney general, one of the highest-ranking positions in the state’s Department of Law and Public Safety.
Her responsibilities included overseeing important legal and public policy matters.
A Key Member of Sherrill’s Administration
Emehelu joined Governor Sherrill’s administration in January 2026 as acting state comptroller.
In September, following Caldwell’s resignation, Sherrill appointed her acting secretary of state.
The position placed Emehelu in charge of a department with significant responsibilities, including election administration and oversight of important state programs.
Her appointment came just weeks before New Jersey’s November 3 general election.
At the time, Sherrill expressed confidence in Emehelu’s experience, judgment, and ability to oversee the electoral process.
The two women also share a professional background in federal prosecution, having worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Emehelu’s selection for lieutenant governor represents another step in her expanding responsibilities within the administration.
Replacing Former Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell
The position became vacant following the resignation of Dale Caldwell on September 25, 2026.
Caldwell, who had served as Sherrill’s running mate during the 2025 gubernatorial election, stepped down after an independent investigation found that he had violated state ethics and workplace conduct policies, including a substantiated finding of sexual harassment.
Governor Sherrill called for his resignation after receiving the investigation’s findings.
Caldwell disputed the report and denied the allegations, saying that his resignation was intended to prevent further distractions from the administration’s work.
Since his departure, New Jersey has operated without a lieutenant governor while Sherrill considered candidates for the position.
According to the New Jersey Globe, several political and public-service figures were considered, including Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton.
Emehelu ultimately emerged as the governor’s choice.
A Historic First for New Jersey
If formally appointed as reported, Emehelu will become New Jersey’s fifth lieutenant governor.
She will also be part of a historic leadership combination, with two women holding the state’s highest executive offices simultaneously for the first time.
The lieutenant governor serves directly below the governor in New Jersey’s executive branch and is first in the line of succession.
When the governor is temporarily unable to perform official duties or is outside New Jersey, the lieutenant governor may serve as acting governor.
The position also carries important responsibilities in coordinating government operations and supporting the administration’s priorities.
Under New Jersey law, the governor can appoint a replacement lieutenant governor without requiring confirmation by the state Senate.
What Comes Next?
Governor Sherrill is expected to formally announce Emehelu’s appointment on Monday, November 9.
The governor’s office declined to confirm the reported selection on Friday.
Once the appointment becomes official, Emehelu will assume the responsibilities of lieutenant governor and become the administration’s second-highest-ranking executive official.
Her selection brings an experienced legal and government administrator into a position that has remained vacant for more than a month.
It also marks another significant development in the leadership of New Jersey under Governor Mikie Sherrill, as the administration continues its first year in office.
Sources: New Jersey Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Office of New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, Reuters, CBS News.
By NJ RADAR Team