As Gov. Mikie Sherrill considers who will replace former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, several Democratic lawmakers say the governor should make the decision largely on her own, without imposing specific demographic or other criteria.
Caldwell resigned on Sept. 25 after Sherrill called for him to step down following the release of a 61-page independent investigation that found serious violations of state policy, including a substantiated finding of sexual harassment.
Sherrill said she would move “swiftly and thoughtfully” to select a new lieutenant governor. She has 39 days to fill the vacancy.
State Sen. Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City) said diversity in government remains important but argued that lawmakers outside the selection process should not dictate what Sherrill considers in making the appointment.
“I’m always supportive when we find room for diverse voices at the table in leadership roles,” Mukherji said. “To me, this is a decision that falls squarely to the governor.”
Mukherji said Sherrill’s Cabinet already reflects her commitment to diversity and expressed confidence in her ability to choose Caldwell’s successor.
“She’s done a phenomenal job assembling a top-tier cabinet filled with diversity, and I have no doubt that whoever she selects to fill the vacancy will be an impressive public leader, and I have faith in her decision-making,” he said.
“I don’t think it would be fair of folks that aren’t part of that decision-making process to opine on what boxes should be checked,” Mukherji added. “I have much more faith in the governor.”
State Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Lawrence) similarly said Sherrill should focus on who would best serve her administration rather than making gender or race a determining factor.
“I think she should pick the best person, the person that she feels would augment her administration and who would represent her in her absence,” Turner said.
“I don’t think it should have anything to do with sex,” she added. “If she wants another male, that’s fine; if she doesn’t, that’s fine too; it’s her decision.”
Turner also noted that lieutenant governors are elected as part of a gubernatorial ticket rather than independently.
“Voters don’t really vote for you; they vote for the governor, and along with that you get whoever they designate as the lieutenant governor,” Turner said.
State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) also said the choice belongs to Sherrill, pointing to her victories in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election.
“I think Gov. Sherrill should pick whoever she wants to pick,” Gopal said.
“She got elected in the primary; her name was on the ballot, she won the general election, her name was on the ballot; it’s her ship; she’s got to pick who complements her administration the best,” he said.
Gopal said he would support Sherrill’s eventual choice.
“I’m going to be supportive of whoever she picks,” he said.
