Shirley Emehelu, a former state and federal prosecutor and a longtime friend of Gov. Mikie Sherrill, was sworn in as the state’s new lieutenant governor Monday.
The appointment, which the state constitution empowers Sherrill to make unilaterally, fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Dale Caldwell, who stepped down in September after internal investigators said he had violated state ethics rules and made inappropriate sexual comments. Sherrill had already tapped Emehelu to succeed Caldwell as New Jersey’s secretary of state.
“Back in September, I said I wanted a partner in government who would represent my administration and the people of New Jersey with honor and integrity,” Sherrill said in Trenton Monday. “I found that partner in Shirley, a leader with an exceptional track record of doing right by people.”
New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner swore Emehelu in Monday morning…