Dale G. Caldwell

Dale Gilbert Caldwell is an American academic administrator, author, religious leader, and politician serving as the fourth lieutenant governor and 35th secretary of state of New Jersey since 2026. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the first male to hold the office of lieutenant governor in the state. He serves alongside Governor Mikie Sherrill and leads the New Jersey Department of State as the state's chief election officer.

Caldwell has a distinguished career spanning government, education, business, community development, and faith leadership. He previously served as president of Centenary University from 2023 to 2025, becoming the institution's first Black president. He is a pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey, emphasizing inclusivity and community service. His father, Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, was a civil rights leader who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. Caldwell volunteered on the New Brunswick Board of Education for 26 years, including six as board president. An accomplished tennis advocate, he served as president and CEO of the USTA Eastern Section, founded the Black Tennis Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame.

In 2025, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mikie Sherrill selected Caldwell as her running mate for lieutenant governor. The Sherrill-Caldwell ticket won the election, and he was sworn in following the victory, succeeding Tahesha Way. He also chaired Sherrill's transition team.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania .
• Professional Experience:
  • Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting .
  • Founding Executive Director, Newark Alliance .
  • Assistant Commissioner, then Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs .
  • President, Educational Services Commission of New Jersey .
  • Executive Director, Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
• Political Positions: Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State of New Jersey . As lieutenant governor, he supports initiatives in economic development, education, public health, and workforce programs. No specific legislative district, as the role is statewide.