Shirley Emehelu Sworn In as New Jersey's New Lieutenant Governor

Shirley Emehelu was sworn in Monday as New Jersey's fifth lieutenant governor after Gov. Mikie Sherrill named the former federal prosecutor to succeed Dale Caldwell.

Emehelu becomes the state's first immigrant lieutenant governor. Her appointment also puts two women in New Jersey's top executive offices at the same time for the first time, according to the New Jersey Globe.

Born in Nigeria, Emehelu moved to the United States at age three and lives in Montclair. She has served in the Sherrill administration as acting state comptroller and acting secretary of state, and will continue as secretary of state.

The lieutenant governor appointment does not require Senate confirmation. Emehelu took the oath of office Monday morning.

Sherrill and Emehelu have known each other for more than a decade, first as parents at a Montclair elementary school and later as colleagues in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark.

Emehelu previously prosecuted financial fraud and public corruption cases as an assistant U.S. attorney and served as executive assistant attorney general in New Jersey. Sherrill said her public-service record and work overseeing preparations for last week's election helped inform the choice.