A Bold Step Toward Leadership that Reflects New Jersey’s Strength

Washington, DC — Black Men Vote PAC proudly commends New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill for selecting Rev. Dale Caldwell, President of Centenary University, as her running mate in the 2025 Governor’s race.

For more than two decades, Rev. Caldwell has been a steadfast leader in education, public service, and faith-based community empowerment. A lifelong New Jerseyan from New Brunswick, he served on the city’s school board for 26 years, expanding opportunities for countless students. As President of Centenary University in Hackettstown, Rev. Caldwell has championed access and innovation in higher education proving that transformative leadership can bridge communities, institutions, and opportunity.

“This is the kind of leadership New Jersey needs: principled, people-centered, and deeply rooted in our communities,” said Michael Bland, Executive Director of Black Men Vote. “Rev. Caldwell’s track record in education, his moral clarity, and his lived commitment to service embody the values Black Men Vote stands for. We look forward to working with the Sherrill–Caldwell ticket to ensure every voice, especially those of Black men, is heard and valued in shaping our state’s future.”

Black men represent one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked and persuadable voting blocs in American politics. In a year where every vote matters, campaigns that authentically engage Black men,  listening to their concerns, investing in their communities, and recognizing their leadership will have a critical edge. The Sherrill–Caldwell ticket has taken a significant step toward meaningful inclusion and representation that resonates with voters who are ready to shape the future at the ballot box and beyond.

The selection of Rev. Caldwell sends a clear message: New Jersey’s leadership must reflect its diversity, confront systemic inequities, and advance a vision where every community—urban and rural, young and old—has access to opportunity, justice, and representation.

This support is part of Black Men Vote PAC’s larger effort to build long-term political power, not just moments of mobilization, but a sustained political movement of Black men grounded in trust, culture, and results.

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About Black Men Vote PAC

Black Men Vote PAC is a 527 organization committed to amplifying the voices of Black men in politics. Our mission is to empower, educate, and mobilize Black men to exercise their right to vote and create lasting change in our communities. Together, we can make a difference.

To learn more visit www.BlackMenVotePAC.org.