Washington, DC – A powerful new chapter in New Jersey politics unfolded as Mikie Sherrill secured victory in the state’s gubernatorial race alongside Lt. Governor-elect Dale Caldwell, marking a historic moment for Black political representation.
Their win was celebrated by Black Men Vote PAC, which hailed the outcome as proof that engaging Black voters—particularly Black men—can transform elections and strengthen democracy.
The organization emphasized that Dr. Dale Caldwell’s election as New Jersey’s first Black male lieutenant governor represents both a breakthrough in state history and a turning point in how campaigns prioritize inclusive engagement.
Key Points
- Mikie Sherrill elected governor of New Jersey, with Dale Caldwell as the state’s first Black male lieutenant governor.
- Black Men Vote PAC credited early investment and sustained engagement with Black men as key to the win.
- The victory marks the first state-level success for a BMV PAC-endorsed candidate.
Expanding the electorate through engagement
Michael Bland, Executive Director of Black Men Vote PAC, said the victory reinforced the organization’s long-standing message: candidates who address the real needs of Black men—such as jobs, education, safety, and justice—earn trust and votes. Bland called the result “a testament to what happens when engagement starts early and continues beyond Election Day.”
In the months before the election, BMV PAC deployed a wide-ranging outreach effort across New Jersey, meeting voters where they lived and worked, and focusing on issues shaping family and community life. Thousands of Black men were reached through the campaign’s direct engagement efforts, forming the backbone of what the PAC describes as a “year-round strategy to move Black men from the margins to the center of American democracy.”
A first for Black Men Vote PAC
The Sherrill–Caldwell victory represents the first state-level win for a candidate endorsed by the PAC, a milestone that underscores the growing influence of Black political organizing in key battlegrounds. The group’s leadership said this achievement validates their approach of combining national advocacy with robust local operations to mobilize voters and amplify Black voices in policy discussions.
Looking ahead to governing
Following the election, Bland said the organization intends to work closely with Governor-elect Sherrill’s administration to ensure campaign promises translate into tangible progress for Black communities across New Jersey. “Tonight’s outcome isn’t just a win for one campaign,” he said. “It’s a signal that when we vote, we change what’s possible.”
As the state prepares for the transition, supporters say the victory is not only historic but symbolic of a larger national shift—one that recognizes the political power of Black men as a driving force in shaping the future of American democracy.