NJ Missed Its Chance To Pick A Latino Leader For Lt. Governor, Coalition Says

New Jersey just missed its chance to pick a Latino leader for lieutenant governor, advocates say.

On Monday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill named Shirley Emehelu as New Jersey’s fifth lieutenant governor. Emehelu, 48, who was born in Nigeria and moved to the U.S. at 3-years-old, is the first immigrant to serve as lieutenant governor in state history.

Emehelu’s appointment was applauded by representatives from several nonprofits and advocacy groups, including Ryan Haygood of the Southern Poverty Law Center and Amol Sinha of the ACLU of New Jersey.

Emehelu’s nomination also got a congratulatory statement from the Serve for Change Coalition – albeit with a big disclaimer.

“We wish her success and remain prepared to work with Gov. Sherrill and her administration to move New Jersey forward,” the group said Monday.

“But we must also be candid: New Jersey missed an important opportunity to elevate a qualified Latino leader to one of the highest offices in the state,” the coalition added.

The Serve for Change Coalition noted that nearly 2.2 million Latinos call New Jersey home, representing about one-quarter of the state’s population and workforce. Hispanic-owned businesses account for approximately 18 percent of businesses statewide, and New Jersey’s Latino economy generates an estimated $158 billion in annual economic output – which also translates to power at the polls.

“The Latino community is one of the largest economic engines of New Jersey, and no longer simply a constituency to be acknowledged – we are a constituency that can determine the outcome of any election,” the coalition said.

Advocates pointed to Donald Trump’s victory during the last presidential election – and the turnaround in New Jersey’s midterm election last week – which they said shows the power of the Hispanic vote:

“In the 2024 presidential election, the Democratic ticket carried New Jersey by approximately 6 percentage points, compared with approximately 16 points in 2020, a ten-point decline in only four years. One year later, 68% of Latinos voted for the Democratic candidate after an aggressive effort to mobilize our base because Gov. Mikie Sherrill made a commitment to create a better economy and an administration that reflects New Jersey’s growing diversity. In 2026, the trend of holding Republicans accountable that began in New Jersey a year before continued; Democrats swung back 26% points because of broken promises by Trump and the Republican Party.”

“The message should be unmistakable: Latino economic strength, population growth, civic engagement and electoral participation must be taken seriously,” the coalition said.

According to advocates, a community that contributes billions in economic activity to New Jersey deserves meaningful representation in the rooms where the state’s most consequential decisions are made.

Unfortunately, that’s not happening, the coalition added, citing data from Rutgers University that found Latino representation at all levels of government remains stuck at 5 percent across state and local government:

“The New Jersey government has 27 cabinet positions and over 400 state authorities and commissions. Of the 27 cabinet positions, only two Latinas and zero Latinos were appointed to the cabinet. As for appointments to the over 400 commissions and authorities in New Jersey, there have been 93 recommendations made for NJ Senate confirmation so far. Only the two Latinas cabinet members are included in those recommendations. No other Latinos or Latinas have been recommended this year.”

“We wholeheartedly believe that a Latino agenda is a New Jersey agenda,” the coalition said. “We are prepared to continue to work with Gov. Sherrill, her administration and the legislature to advance Latino representation at all levels of state government.”

“But make no mistake, it is time for New Jersey's leadership to reflect that reality,” advocates urged.

>> READ MORE: New Lt. Gov Chosen In NJ, Marking A Trailblazing Moment For State

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