Trenton, NJ, October, 12, 2026 – The Board of the Pride Action Fund released the following statement today:

The circumstances surrounding Lieutenant Governor Caldwell's resignation raise serious concerns about the values and accountability we expect from our state's highest offices. As Governor Sherrill considers her appointment, Pride Action Fund urges her to select a leader who will not simply uphold New Jersey's commitment to inclusion, justice and equality, but actively champion those principles.

Representation matters. Our government should reflect the diversity of the people it serves. But identity alone is neither a qualification for leadership nor a guarantee of advocacy. What matters perhaps most is a demonstrated willingness to stand up for communities under attack, challenge discrimination and use the power of public office to defend the rights and dignity of all New Jerseyans.

At a moment when LGBTQIA+ rights and other marginalized populations face mounting challenges to their rights and freedoms, New Jersey needs leaders who are willing to do more than express support. We need courageous leaders, committed advocates, and steadfast allies willing to speak out against injustice, take action and fight back, even when doing so may appear to be politically inconvenient.

The fight for equality cannot rest solely on the shoulders of those most directly affected. It must be a shared responsibility across every community and every level of government.

New Jersey's next Lieutenant Governor should be judged not simply by who they are, but by whom they are willing to stand beside and what they are willing to fight for.

Founded in 2025, Pride Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization dedicated to building political power for New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community through three core pillars: grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy and transparent, accountable endorsements. For too long, issues affecting LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans have been pushed to the margins of political discourse, met with symbolic gestures, empty promises or half-hearted support when meaningful action carries perceived political risk. We believe our community deserves more than performative allyship. Our goal is to build an endorsement process that is fair, transparent and rooted in demonstrated commitment, one that holds candidates accountable not simply for what they say, but for what they are willing to do. Our community is not a political checkbox, and our support should never be taken for granted.

Current Board Members of the Pride Action Fund are as follows: Elizabeth Schedl, Laura Bustamante, Jackie Cornell, Anthony Campisi and Danielle King.