Governor Mikie Sherrill names Shirley Emehelu as New Jersey's lieutenant governor

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced her pick for the Garden State's next lieutenant governor on Monday morning.

Sherrill appointed Shirley Emehelu to the position at the state Capitol building.

Emehelu will also serve as secretary of state.

This will be the first time New Jersey has had women serving as both governor and lieutenant governor.

Emehelu is also the first immigrant to hold the office of lieutenant governor. She's originally from Nigeria.

Emehelu had been serving as the acting secretary of state following the resignation of Dale Caldwell in September.

Prior to that, Emehelu served as acting state comptroller, and she also worked in the attorney general's office as executive attorney general.

She also previously worked as a federal prosecutor alongside now-Gov. Sherrill, where she prosecuted financial fraud and corruption. Emehelu graduated from Yale Law.

Caldwell stepped down after an internal investigation detailed allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct.

In one instance, a staffer says Caldwell made a sexual comment to her after being rejected by the staffer's friend.

Caldwell is also accused of not disclosing a relationship with another employee and trying to get her a promotion.