Centenary University President Dale Caldwell named as Sherrill’s running mate for lieutenant governor
NEW JERSEY – U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Friday announced Dr. Dale Caldwell, president of Centenary University, as her running mate for lieutenant governor in the 2025 gubernatorial race.
Caldwell, a longtime educator, community leader, and pastor, brings a diverse background in public service, higher education, and nonprofit leadership. He previously served as Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and is currently pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield.
Sherrill and Caldwell are expected to make their first joint campaign appearance as a ticket on Saturday. In her announcement, Sherrill emphasized their shared commitment to “service above self” and a mission to build a more affordable and inclusive New Jersey.
“I’m proud to select Dale Caldwell as my lieutenant governor running mate because we share a commitment to public service and challenging the status quo,” Sherrill said. “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.”
Caldwell said he was honored to join the ticket and highlighted a leadership style rooted in equity and opportunity. “My life, much like Mikie’s, has been dedicated to service: to my church, my students, and my community,” he said. “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.”
A Princeton graduate with advanced degrees from Wharton and Seton Hall, Caldwell has also served as executive director of the Newark Alliance, president of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, and a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting. He volunteered on the New Brunswick school board for 26 years.
The announcement comes as Sherrill positions herself as a leading Democratic contender for governor in 2025. Her selection of Caldwell, a figure with roots in civil rights, education, and faith-based leadership, signals a campaign focused on social equity and economic opportunity.
