Mikie Sherrill Picks Running Mate For 2025 NJ Governor Election

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has chosen a pastor and university president as running mate in her 2025 campaign for New Jersey governor.

On Friday, Sherrill announced that she picked Dale Caldwell as her lieutenant governor nominee.

Caldwell – a New Brunswick resident – is the president of Centenary University. He formerly served as the executive director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, President of the Educational Services Commission, deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, founding executive director of the Newark Alliance and senior manager at Deloitte Consulting. He volunteered on the New Brunswick school board for 26 years, serving as president for six.

Caldwell is also a pastor of the Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, where he builds a congregation based on the values of “inclusivity, community and acceptance,” Sherill’s campaign team said.

Sherrill and Caldwell plan to hit the campaign trail for the first time together as a ticket on Saturday.

“My life, much like Mikie’s, has been dedicated to service: to my church, my students and my community,” Caldwell said. “That’s why I’m honored and humbled to join Mikie’s ticket.”

“The Sherrill administration will be focused on creating opportunity for the people of New Jersey – lowering costs so families can get ahead and stay ahead,” he said.

The congresswoman said she picked Caldwell partly because of his commitment to public service and penchant for “challenging the status quo.”

“Dale is the son of civil rights leaders who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma — and he’s followed in his parents’ footsteps and he has always been a voice for the voiceless,” Sherrill said.

“Not only has Dale given back to the community for nearly 30 years, he brings experience in the private sector, higher education, nonprofits and the Department of Community Affairs,” Sherrill added.

Sherrill’s campaign team released some additional details about Caldwell’s background and qualifications for the job:

• EDUCATION – Caldwell graduated from Princeton University in 1982, earned his master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1988, and a doctorate in education administration from Seton Hall University in 2017.
• SPORTS – Caldwell is an avid tennis player and coach. He was the president and CEO of the United States Tennis Association Eastern Section, founded the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sherrill – who currently represents New Jersey’s 11th District in the U.S. House of Representatives – nailed down the Democratic Party nomination in the June primary election.

Sherrill said her campaign relied heavily on grassroots support. Throughout the race, nearly 2,000 volunteers knocked on 120,000 doors, made 200,000 calls, and put out more than half a million text messages to voters.

• See Related: NJ Democrats Rally Behind Mikie Sherrill After Primary Election

CIATTARELLI CHOOSES GANNON

Earlier this week, Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli officially announced his choice for his lieutenant governor nominee: Morris County Sheriff James Gannon.

The announcement was made at a special event hosted by the Morris County Republican Committee at Johnnies Tavern in Boonton.

• See Related: Jack Ciattarelli Taps County Sheriff As Running Mate In 2025 Election

In May, Ciattarelli got a highly publicized endorsement from the president, who wrote that he would “grow our economy” and “cut taxes and regulations.”

“Jack is the Republican candidate who is best positioned to stand tall against the radical left Democrats and, most importantly, ensure a big victory in this very important gubernatorial election,” Trump wrote.

Ciattarelli replied that he was “truly humbled and honored” to receive Trump’s endorsement.

• See Related: Trump Endorses Republican Candidate In NJ Governor Race

Sherrill and Caldwell each blasted Ciattarelli’s link to Trump and the MAGA movement in their campaign announcement on Friday.

“While we will be a voice for the people, Jack Ciattarelli will be a voice for Trump and the MAGA movement that is costing New Jersey our wallets and our freedoms,” Caldwell charged.

“As Jack Ciattarelli is committed to Trump, Dale and I are committed to New Jersey,” Sherrill agreed.

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