Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) appointed Acting Comptroller Shirley U. Emehelu as New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, who oversees a critical cannabis program.
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The NJ Secretary of State oversees the NJ Business Action Center’s Cannabis Training Academy (CTA). The CTA seeks to educate and empower New Jersey cannabis entrepreneurs and professionals with free educational classes.
While it only recently completed its 2nd anniversary, it is among the most critical NJ programs to ensure equity in the state cannabis market.
Sherrill has not said anything about the cannabis market or home growing since taking office, while the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) and CTA have operated smoothly.
Her first Lt. Governor, Dale Caldwell, was forced to resign over a scandal.
The appointment marks the first time in New Jersey history the State will be led by both a woman Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
New Lt. Governor of New Jersey Appointed
“I promised to bring a different kind of leadership to Trenton, rooted in accountability, relentless dedication to service, and a commitment to putting New Jerseyans first. Shirley embodies those values,” Sherrill declared.
“Shirley has fought for New Jersey families at every step of her career. She also maintains strong leadership at the Secretary of State’s office after successfully overseeing the smooth administration of our elections last week,” she added.
“She pairs the highest ethical standards with the same tenacity to run toward our toughest challenges. And I am proud to have her by my side as we work to deliver for the people of New Jersey. New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in our nation. Shirley and I will ensure that every community has a seat at the table and that their needs are reflected in our agenda,” Sherrill argued.
There’s a low bar for high ethical standards in Trenton.
New Lt. Governor of New Jersey Remarks
“I am honored by Governor Sherrill’s trust and the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey as Lieutenant Governor,” said Lieutenant Governor Shirley U. Emehelu.
“I’ll bring that same tenacity to lowering costs, expanding opportunity for every community, and ensuring government delivers for the people we serve,” she added.
According to Sherrill’s office, Emehelu’s “selection followed a comprehensive review of a wide range of candidates, consultation with leaders across New Jersey’s diverse communities, and rigorous vetting.”
Emehelu Background
Emehelu has served as Acting State Comptroller since the beginning of the Sherrill Administration. So, she has led efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, protect taxpayer dollars, and strengthen government accountability.
From 2022 to 2024, she served as New Jersey’s Executive Assistant Attorney General, the third-ranking official in the Attorney General’s Office. She counseled the Attorney General and coordinated oversight of more than 500 attorneys. Emehelu also directed civil litigation and enforcement matters involving environmental protection, civil rights, consumer and labor protections, firearms safety, and data privacy.
So, Emehelu worked under the pro-cannabis Attorney General Matt Platkin. Before that, she spent nine years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. Emehelu prosecuted complex financial fraud.
New LG of NJ Endorsed by Leading Cannabis Legalization Advocate
Many have endorsed Emehelu.
“Shirley Emehelu has dedicated much of her career to public service and has had a demonstrated commitment to accountability, with recent roles as Executive Assistant Attorney General and Acting Comptroller for New Jersey,” Amol Sinha, Executive Director, ACLU of New Jersey.
He noted that in her role as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, she will play a crucial role in “protecting the ability for all New Jerseyans to be heard and represented by their government.”
“The ACLU-NJ looks forward to continuing to work with Lieutenant Governor Emehelu and Governor Sherrill’s Administration to defend and expand the rights of all New Jerseyans, and ensure our state is the strongest firewall for freedom in the country,” Singha declared.
He was among the foremost leaders of the New Jersey cannabis legalization movement.
Pro-Cannabis NJ Democratic Chair Endorses Emehelu
New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman Leroy J. Jones, Jr. also endorsed Emehelu.
“The Governor’s thoughtful, deliberative process has yielded tremendous results, allowing for a host of talented and qualified candidates to be involved in this process. The various individuals and organizations weighing in served to be true value adds, and I believe Shirley Emehelu will serve them all with equal distinction,” Jones explained.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank the eminently qualified candidates who joined this process and, in particular, my friend Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15-Mercer) who decided to withdraw her name from consideration for the position last week,” he added.
Notably, Reynolds-Jackson is a medical cannabis homegrowing legalization supporter.
As a lobbyist, Jones has had cannabis companies as clients of his noted lobbying firm.
The Lt. Governor of New Jersey
The Lt. Governor of New Jersey is a newer position. After former Governor Jim McGreevey resigned in 2004 in the wake of a scandal, the late NJ Senate President Dick Codey of Essex County became the Governor without having been elected to the position. Thus, his successor Jon Corzine (D) was the last Governor who did not run with a Lt. Governor.
The office has to head a department. Otherwise, there would be little for the Lt. Governor to do. Their main task would then be to wait until they have to give a speech to another interest group, the Governor leaves the State, or dies.
Those in the positions of NJ Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker are not usually the type to concede powers or privileges quickly.
When Sherrill left to campaign for Democrats in other states, the anti-homegrowing legalization Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union and Somerset) was briefly Acting Governor.
