COURT HOUSE — Dale Caldwell, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, addressed county Democrats at a fundraiser Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Provence restaurant.
Caldwell spoke to party members and supporters just hours after Rep. Jeff Van Drew, formerly a Democrat and now a Republican, spoke to a county chamber of commerce crowd, highlighting local and national issues.
Caldwell, a United Methodist pastor and president of Centenary University in Hackettstown, went right for the head of the Republican Party – President Donald Trump.
“The wrong leader can ruin a country,” he said.
He followed by praising the top of the state ticket and his running mate, Mikie Sherill, who he said fought for everything she attained: becoming an Air Force helicopter pilot, being a prosecutor, and being elected to Congress.
Caldwell quickly returned to the president, saying that by electing Sherrill and him, voters could send a message to Trump – that he “has no influence in New Jersey.” He said this was the Democrats’ time, and said they needed to ask their Republican neighbors, “Do you care about your country?”
He cited Scripture to his supporters, reciting Proverbs 31: 8-9: “Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Caldwell said there has never before been a president who hated the poor, the elderly and immigrants.
He said the state government has to encourage the development of more small businesses, saying Amazon, for example, gives nothing back to New Jersey. He spoke about partnering with Cape May County Democratic Chairperson Marie Blistan, a former educator, to help the most vulnerable in society – those on the autism spectrum.
“Societies are judged on how they take care of the most vulnerable,” he said.
Caldwell said voting for Jack Ciattarelli, whom he called “Jack Trump,” would result in cutting resources to the state. He mentioned pushing for increased energy production.
He said this will be “such an important election,” and he and Sherrill want to hear from constituents about what is important to them.
“If you are serious about change, you have to put Mikie and I in,” Caldwell said.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
