Last night, voters across the Garden State delivered a decisive victory for pro-equality leadership, electing Mikie Sherrill as Governor and Dr. Dale Caldwell as Lieutenant Governor. Their win is a resounding rejection of the Trump-backed effort to use New Jersey as a testing ground for bigotry, inequality, and the erosion of civil rights. Once again, our state proves that prejudice has no place here and that New Jersey will continue to lead the nation in protecting LGBTQ+ people and all marginalized communities.
“As someone who fought for marriage equality and has spent my life breaking political barriers, I can tell you that progress is never safe. Mikie and Dale understand that we did not elect them to be passive; we elected them to be a shield against the toxic, rights-stripping politics emanating from the national stage,” said Garden State Equality Action Fund Chair Jeannine Frisby LaRue. “Their victory sends an unmistakable message: in the Garden State, hate has no home, and the fight for lived and legal equality will continue to be a top priority. The Garden State Equality Action Fund looks forward to partnering with Governor-Elect Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Caldwell to ensure New Jersey remains a national beacon for LGBTQ+ rights.”
“Yesterday, New Jerseyans rebuked the claims our state was trending red. Instead, we’re setting the trend for how to respond to this moment when equality is under attack,” said Deputy Director Brielle Winslow-Majette. “And we did it by electing a woman who has proven she’s not afraid to stand up for our communities, even if it means facing danger head-on. Congratulations to Governor-Elect Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Caldwell on their resounding victory this evening; we look forward to working with you on protecting and advancing lived and legal equality.”
“Our membership mobilized through phone banking and canvassing to contribute to the momentum of Governor-Elect Sherrill’s exciting movement forward,” said Lauren Albrecht, Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing. “Through all the attacks that the Trump administration has been leveling against our communities, we stood strong. Yesterday, it paid off.”
“This election determined how we move forward and shows the country that we will not go back,” continued Albrecht. “We used our voice, our power, and our vote. Together, with Mikie as our new Governor, we’ll ensure that marginalized communities are not forgotten and remain at the center of our fight for lived equality.”
With this victory, the Sherrill-Caldwell administration has the opportunity to reinforce New Jersey as a national stronghold of inclusion by advancing policies that ensure:
- Access to lifesaving gender-affirming care
- Safe, affirming schools for LGBTQ+ youth
- Housing protections for queer and trans residents
- Economic and workplace nondiscrimination
- Continued defense against federal overreach
The Garden State Equality Action Fund looks forward to immediate collaboration with the new administration to safeguard existing protections, expand access to care, and continue building a state where every resident is treated with dignity and respect. We encourage all New Jerseyans to remain engaged; local organizing, school board participation, and civic advocacy remain essential to keeping our state moving forward.