The Republican and Democratic nominees for New Jersey governor announced their running mates this week, introducing the two men vying to be the next lieutenant governor and further defining a race that is receiving national attention.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) on Friday formally nominated Dale Caldwell, President of Centenary University, as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Caldwell is a pastor of the Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield and served on the New Brunswick school board for 26 years. He served as Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs under Governor Jim McGreevey from 2003-2005 and later served as that department’s Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. Caldwell’s background in education, economic development, and public service complements Sherrill’s message of pragmatic, inclusive leadership.
Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli formally announced Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon as his running mate on Wednesday at an event in his hometown of Boonton, which incidentally is in Sherrill’s congressional district. Gannon, a seasoned law enforcement official now in his third term as sheriff, brings a public safety focus to the ticket and reinforces the crime reduction plank of Ciattarelli’s platform. Gannon is a popular figure in Morris County who has enjoyed broad, bi-partisan support during his service as Sheriff. Gannon has emphasized the need for “commonsense leadership” in Trenton and stronger coordination between local and federal law enforcement.
The lieutenant governor of New Jersey is a constitutional officer and the second highest-ranking official in the state government; the lieutenant governor is elected concurrently on a ticket with the governor for a four-year term. The position itself does not carry any powers or duties other than to be next in the order of succession, but the state constitution requires that the lieutenant governor also be appointed to serve as the head of a cabinet-level department. While neither campaign announced what department the lieutenant governor nominees would lead, the picks do underscore important themes that Ciattarelli and Sherrill are campaigning on. The Gannon pick reinforces Ciattarelli’s commitment to law and order and restoring commonsense leadership to Trenton. Sherrill’s selection of Caldwell speaks to her commitment to equity, opportunity, and dedication to public service. Gannon or Caldwell are poised to make history by becoming New Jersey’s first male lieutenant governor. Since the position was established in 2010, it has been held exclusively by women.
Sherrill and Ciattarelli will be joined by their respective running mates to campaign together in earnest starting this weekend.