Sherrill names Shirley Emehelu New Jersey lieutenant governor after Caldwell resignation

Shirley Emehelu is New Jersey's new lieutenant governor, chosen Monday by Gov. Mikie Sherrill to succeed Dale Caldwell, who left the office in September, according to 6abc Action News, NBC10 and CBS Philadelphia.

Sherrill made the announcement at the Capitol in Trenton, 6abc reported. The station said Emehelu will hold the secretary of state post as well. 6abc and NBC10 both reported that, for the first time, two women now occupy New Jersey's top two executive offices.

According to 6abc, Emehelu was born in Nigeria, making her the first immigrant to serve as the state's lieutenant governor.

"I so appreciate the trust you placed in me, every step of the way," Emehelu told Sherrill during the announcement, NBC10 reported.

Since Caldwell's exit, Emehelu had led the Department of State on an acting basis, 6abc reported. NBC10 noted that Sherrill put her in that temporary role just a few weeks ahead of the state's midterm elections. Her earlier positions include acting state comptroller and, according to 6abc, executive attorney general within the state's top law enforcement office.

6abc also reported that Emehelu and Sherrill were colleagues as federal prosecutors, with Emehelu pursuing financial fraud and public corruption cases. She earned her law degree at Yale, the station said.

Caldwell's resignation followed a review by an outside law firm retained by the governor's office, NBC10 reported. That review found he had broken New Jersey rules on ethics and on discrimination in the workplace, the station said. CBS Philadelphia characterized the accusations as involving sexual harassment and ethics violations.

NBC10 and 6abc reported that, according to the findings, Caldwell made a sexual remark to a staff member after her friend rejected his advances. NBC10 said the report further accused him of seeking a promotion for a state worker with whom he had a romantic relationship, and of taking guests to events requiring tickets without covering their cost. According to 6abc, he was also accused of not disclosing that relationship.

Thomas Calcagni, an attorney for Caldwell, rejected the allegations, NBC10 reported, calling the inquiry one-sided and saying it denied his client adequate due process.

NBC10 reported that Sherrill had earlier said Caldwell kept committing ethical lapses even after several warnings and trainings, and that she called his departure best for the people of New Jersey. She also vowed at the time to name a replacement without delay, the station reported.

Compiled by True News from reporting by CBS Philadelphia, 6abc Action News and NBC10 Philadelphia. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/905