Caldwell and Gannon highlight contrasting visions for New Jersey in sole lieutenant governor debate

🗳️ New Jersey lieutenant governor debate at a glance

Democrat Dale Caldwell and Republican James Gannon struck a polite but pointed contrast on taxes, energy, and immigration in New Jersey’s only lieutenant governor debate Tuesday night.

The big picture:
Democrat Rev. Dr. Dale Caldwell and Republican Sheriff James Gannon met Tuesday at Kean University for the state’s only lieutenant governor debate. The forum was more cordial than last week’s Sherrill–Ciattarelli showdown, but revealed sharp policy divides on taxes, energy, and immigration.

Why it matters:
The lieutenant governor is next in line if the state’s top office becomes vacant, and can also be appointed to lead a cabinet agency without Senate confirmation. The lieutenant governor also fills in for the governor when the governor is not in the state.

With New Jersey facing high property taxes and surging energy bills, both candidates sought to show they are prepared to govern.

Key moments:

• Property taxes: Caldwell pointed to his record on shared services, while Gannon vowed to cut and cap taxes, saying “the back of the taxpayer is broken.”
• Energy prices: Caldwell backed Sherrill’s pledge to freeze rate hikes; Gannon said the state must “stand up strong nuclear programs, natural gas and solar.”
• Immigration: Caldwell said violent offenders must be prosecuted but emphasized empathy; Gannon pledged to scrap the Immigrant Trust Directive “day one” but supported a pathway for longtime residents with clean records.
• Tone: Both men praised each other’s service and family legacies, a marked contrast from the heated governor’s debate.

What’s next:
Caldwell and Gannon won’t debate again. Their running mates, Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli, meet for their final governor’s debate Oct. 8 in New Brunswick.

New Jersey’s lieutenant governor candidates faced off Tuesday night in their only debate of the general election, offering voters a vivid contrast on taxes, energy, immigration, and public safety as they vie to be second-in-command in the Garden State.

Democratic Rev. Dr. Dale Caldwell, a university president and Methodist pastor, and Republican Sheriff James Gannon of Morris County met at Kean University in Union for the state-mandated forum, which proved to be a cordial affair. The debate was organized by WPIX-TV, PHL17, and New Jersey 101.5, and broadcast live across the state. Moderators Dan Mannarino and Henry Rosoff kept the discussion on track, moving efficiently from question to question within the allotted time and pressing the candidates for clear answers.

It was the sole lieutenant governor debate sanctioned under state campaign-finance rules, giving voters one chance to size up the running mates for Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor, and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican challenger.

The candidates began by discussing their qualifications. Caldwell highlighted his long résumé in education, consulting, and government.

“I’ve discovered that voters are looking for leaders with experience, leaders that have empathy, and leaders that have ethics,” he said. “I’m president of Centenary University, I pastor a church, and I’ve led the largest special-needs school district in New Jersey. That background has given me a perspective on how to lead this state.”

Gannon, who has been Morris County sheriff since 2017, leaned on his career in policing.

“I’ve been involved in law enforcement my whole life,” he said, recounting service as a local cop, in the county prosecutor’s office and on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. “I’ve also been in corporate America with Novartis. I know what leadership looks like. I’m prepared to lead, and I have the experience in doing it.”

Property taxes dominate early

Few issues matter more in New Jersey than property taxes, and both men were pressed for clear answers.

Caldwell pointed to his record at the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, which he said saved towns and schools “$250 million in taxes over 10 years” by pooling purchases.

“We’ve actually implemented shared service agreements that work,” Caldwell said, adding that a Sherrill-Caldwell administration would “bring a customer-service focus to state government.” Still, asked directly if taxes would be lower after four years, he hedged: “That is our goal, and we’re looking to do everything we can. Unfortunately, the assault from the Trump administration makes that even harder.”

Gannon was more emphatic.

“Yes, we will,” he said, promising to cut and cap property taxes. He cited his merger of the Morris County Park Police into his sheriff’s office and his consolidation of county jail operations as examples of how government can save money. “Instead of having infrastructures all over the place, we isolated them to the Morris County Correctional Facility, and we raised $6.2 million a year,” he said. “The back of the taxpayer is broken. That’s the reality.”

On whether to keep Gov. Phil Murphy’s Anchor rebate program, Gannon said, “People need those monies to get on their feet, to stay on their feet. But you can’t put a dollar in this pocket and take $5 out of the other pocket.” Caldwell said Democrats were reviewing ANCHOR and other programs “to really make sure that New Jersey remains affordable for seniors and others,” hinting they might even expand it.

Energy prices and PJM

With electricity bills spiking this summer, energy was another flashpoint.

“Electricity prices are problematic,” Gannon said. “The prior administration bet on wind, and it didn’t work. The bottom line is we have to stand up strong nuclear programs, natural gas and solar. We used to sell electricity; now we’re buying it. It’s a failed project.”

Caldwell countered that Sherrill is “the only one who said we’re going to freeze energy rate hikes.” He promised investments in solar, battery storage and nuclear alongside gas infrastructure.

“The ratepayer advocate has said that the program can work,” Caldwell insisted. “A lot of people don’t understand that the governor of New Jersey can actually do that.”

Both candidates left the door open to New Jersey exiting the PJM Interconnection, the 13-state grid operator. “Everything is on the table,” Caldwell said. Gannon agreed: “All options are on the table. We have to do what’s best for the citizens of New Jersey.”

Tone and tolerance

Asked about violent rhetoric in politics, Caldwell invoked his family’s civil rights legacy.

“My father marched arm in arm with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” he said. “We are leaders that want to unify and bring people together. This is a time where Trump has become a divider-in-chief.”

Gannon replied: “God bless your father. God bless Dr. King. We need more tolerance. It’s more about people than Republicans and Democrats. In Morris County, we started a First Amendment Support Team to protect people at demonstrations, even if we don’t agree with them. That’s what law enforcement should do.”

Immigration and housing

The candidates took opposing positions on New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Caldwell declined to commit to keeping it, but said, “We will prosecute violent criminals to the full extent of the law, but we need to make sure everyone is safe. Too many legal residents are fearful to go to the grocery store. New Jersey is stronger than that.”

Gannon said he would repeal the directive on “day one,” stressing the need for local and federal law enforcement to share intelligence.

“Cases are solved by little pieces of evidence,” Gannon said, referencing 9/11. Still, he added, “If they’ve been here, no crime, no problems, I’d have no problem giving them some type of pathway so they could stay.”

Housing affordability also drew sharp contrasts. Caldwell suggested reusing vacant office parks and expanding down-payment assistance for first-time buyers.

“Affordable housing is really middle-class housing,” Caldwell said.

Gannon criticized the Mount Laurel mandate, saying, “Instead of giving a broad number to a town, I would have a planner select locations that have infrastructure. We set people up for failure when we put places up in the middle of nowhere.”

Closing notes

In closing, Gannon cast himself as a steady hand.

“Here I am, a kid from Boonton, and I’ve been very fortunate,” Gannon said. “My father told me how to be a cop: be good to people. Be a public servant. I will always do what’s in the best interest of the people of New Jersey.”

Caldwell stressed values. “I began talking about experience, empathy, and ethics,” he said. “Proverbs tells us: be a voice for the voiceless. We are so concerned about all people of New Jersey. We’ve got to do better, we’ve got to move forward.”

The debate previewed themes expected to surface again when Sherrill and Ciattarelli meet for their second and final gubernatorial debate Oct. 8 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, following their first clash Sept. 21 at Rider University. Tuesday’s forum may be the only time the running mates shared a stage, but it underscored the stakes of November’s election in the country’s most densely populated state, which is also one of the most expensive states to live in.

Transcript of debate for New Jersey lieutenant governor candidates

Moderator: Our first question is very straightforward. Mr. Caldwell, you currently serve as president of Centenary University in Hackettstown. What makes you qualified to be the second most powerful person in state government? You have 60 seconds.

Rev. Dr. Dale Caldwell: First, I’d like to welcome everyone and thank our sponsors for putting this important debate together, and thank the Sheriff for being on stage with me. I’m new to statewide politics, so I want to introduce myself very quickly. I’ve traveled all 21 counties, and I’ve discovered that voters are looking for leaders with experience, empathy, and ethics. As you said, I’m president of Centenary University, and I’m also pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield. I spent two decades on the New Brunswick Board of Education and was president of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, the largest special-needs school district. I spent [unclear: “15 years”] at Deloitte Consulting and at Scholastic, and served as deputy commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. I have a strong passion for small business and making sure small businesses grow throughout the state. That background gives me a perspective on leading New Jersey. Mikie and I have a unique leadership team.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, thank you. Mr. Gannon, you currently serve as Morris County Sheriff. Same question: What makes you qualified to be the second most powerful person in state government? You have 60 seconds.

Sheriff James Gannon: Thanks, WPIX, and thanks to Dr. Caldwell. I’m prepared to lead. I’ve been in law enforcement my whole life—from local cop, to the county Major Crimes Unit, to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. I also worked in corporate America at Novartis. I’ve held leadership roles much of my life, and I’m aligned with Jack Ciattarelli on issues and leadership. If he has to leave the area, it’ll be seamless. I’m prepared to lead, and I have the experience to do it.

Moderator: When one of you becomes lieutenant governor, the governor you’ll serve under can appoint you to head a state department without Senate approval. Mr. Gannon, what major agency would you hope to lead under Jack Ciattarelli, and why? 30 seconds.

Gannon: My strong suit is law enforcement. Those decisions haven’t been made yet, but on counterterrorism and crime, that’s where I’d be best suited. I’m ready to serve anywhere, but law enforcement and counterterrorism would keep New Jersey safe.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, same question under Mikie Sherrill. 30 seconds.

Caldwell: I served as deputy commissioner at the Department of Community Affairs. I also have deep education experience and would look at Secretary of State. I was a member of the first Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force, so I have insight there—not as much as the Sheriff, but some. We haven’t decided, but I can add value in multiple departments.

Moderator: Let’s move to property taxes. Mr. Caldwell, your campaign has emphasized shared services to lower property taxes, but we’ve heard that for years and taxes keep rising. How would you and Ms. Sherrill make towns and school districts work together to lower taxes? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: A couple of things. As a university president and a parent—my daughter is 21 and a senior at Rutgers—I’m very concerned about property taxes and making sure young people stay in New Jersey. As president of the Educational Services Commission, which runs the largest shared-services program, almost every municipality and school district purchases buses, paper, and other items through it. Over the last 10 years, that’s saved about $250 million in taxes [and tuition savings, per context]. We’ve already implemented shared services. I’ve also worked with shared-services czars to understand challenges—bringing in over a billion dollars over their time. It takes experience in government to reduce taxes through shared services.

Moderator: Bottom line for viewers: at the end of four years, if elected, will property taxes be lower? 15 seconds.

Caldwell: That is our goal, and we’ll do everything we can. The assault from the Trump administration—adding $5 billion of costs to New Jersey—makes it harder, so we’re working in a very difficult environment.

Moderator: Thank you. Mr. Gannon, your ticket promises to “cut and cap” property taxes, though taxes are largely controlled locally. How would you keep that promise at the state level? 60 seconds.

Gannon: For 25 years the Legislature’s been controlled by Democrats; for eight years, Governor Murphy’s held the governor’s office. We haven’t seen property taxes go down. On shared services, I’ve merged the Morris County Park Police into the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. We took custody of inmates from the Sussex and Somerset county jails at the Morris County Correctional Facility, generating about $6.2 million a year. We have to look for those opportunities because the taxpayer’s back is broken.

Moderator: Same bottom line: will property taxes be lower in four years if you’re elected? 15 seconds.

Gannon: Yes, they will.

Moderator: Sticking with property taxes: If elected, will Governor Murphy’s Anchor rebate program continue? Mr. Caldwell, 30 seconds.

Caldwell: We’re looking at Anchor and the StayNJ program to keep New Jersey affordable for seniors and others. We’re exploring opportunities to expand those programs or create new ones. We’re reviewing what funding is available to keep people here and reduce property taxes.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, same question—keep ANCHOR? 30 seconds.

Gannon: Yes, but we have to be careful. You can’t put a dollar in one pocket and take five from the other. It has to be coordinated holistically with where the spend is. People need that support to stay on their feet.

Caldwell (rebuttal, 15 seconds): The current Trump administration has a $3.6 billion hole in Medicaid and a $3.3 billion hole in our hospitals. You can’t take from one hand and claim to help with the other. I don’t understand how the Ciattarelli team pays for that.

Gannon (rebuttal, 15 seconds): President Trump’s been in office eight months—that’s it. Blaming him isn’t fair at this juncture. Remember, Governor Murphy’s been in office eight years and Democrats have controlled the Legislature for 25.

Moderator: Energy: New Jerseyans are squeezed by rising prices. Mr. Gannon, how would you quickly boost power production and control prices? 60 seconds.

Gannon: Electricity prices are the number one issue we hear. The prior administration bet on wind and it didn’t work. We need a portfolio: strong nuclear, natural gas, and solar. We used to sell electricity; now we buy it. It’s a failed approach. Time is ticking—build a real portfolio.

Moderator:
Mr. Caldwell, same question. 60 seconds.

Caldwell: Two things. You heard no plan there. Governor Murphy won’t be in office when Mikie and I are. Mikie is the only one who said we’re going to freeze energy rate hikes, invest in solar, battery storage, consider nuclear, and strengthen natural-gas infrastructure. The Ratepayer Advocate has said that can work. The governor of New Jersey can do that. That’s our plan going forward.

Reporter Jennifer Lewis-Hall, PHL17: More than a quarter of the nation’s governors met in Philadelphia and pushed for more sway over grid operator PJM Interconnection, which many blame for rising electric bills. Pennsylvania’s governor said if PJM doesn’t change, the state could leave the grid. Would you consider leaving PJM?

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, would you and Ms. Sherrill consider leaving the grid? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: Mikie has made it clear we’ll hold PJM and others accountable. We’re exploring alternatives, including possibly leaving, if that’s what makes sense for New Jersey residents. We want accountability and to ensure suppliers act in the best interests of the people—not just line their pockets.

Moderator: So leaving the grid is on the table?

Caldwell: Everything is on the table to keep rates flat now and drive them down in the future.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, same question. 60 seconds.

Gannon: All options are on the table. We’ll do what’s best for New Jersey. We have to call balls and strikes and act in the people’s best interests.

Caldwell:
My father marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In church we say, “love your neighbor as yourself.” We love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Mikie and I are leaders who want to unify. I appreciate the Sheriff saying it’s not about Democrat or Republican. This is a time of division, and Trump has become divider-in-chief, with Jack Ciattarelli supporting him. We’re going to bring people together around the issues that matter to New Jersey.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, same question. 60 seconds.

Gannon: God bless your father, and God bless Dr. King. We need more tolerance. It’s about people, not parties. In the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, we started a First Amendment Support Team to protect demonstrations. We protect speech—even when we don’t agree with it. As long as it doesn’t cross into criminal conduct, that’s our duty in law enforcement and we’ll continue to do it.

Moderator: National figures: Mr. Gannon, did you vote for Donald Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024—and do you support him now?

Gannon: Yes, I voted for him all three times—2016, 2020, and 2024—and I support him now.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, your running mate, Mikie Sherrill, has declined to formally endorse the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani [note: name as stated on stage]. Your views, and do you endorse him? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: We’re focused on winning this race and on New Jersey. I don’t know enough about that race to comment; when I vote, I want all the details, and I don’t have time to follow it. We’re focused on affordability, healthcare, and protecting open space here.

Moderator: For clarity: you’re declining to endorse this evening?

Caldwell: I don’t have enough information to endorse. I’m focused on our race.

Moderator: Zillow says average home prices in New Jersey are up more than 18% in three years. Mr. Gannon, how would you build more housing working people can afford? 60 seconds.

Gannon: Housing is a huge issue—overdevelopment and Mount Laurel obligations. Instead of giving towns a broad number, I’d have a planner select suitable locations—Red Bank, Somerville—with infrastructure, water, sewer, transit, jobs, and environmental considerations. Putting massive units where there’s no infrastructure sets people up to fail. We need to set people up for success.

Moderator: Would you alter Mount Laurel so not every town must build affordable housing? How? 15 seconds.

Gannon: Get all sides together and reach an agreement on what sets people up for success. No one wants people to fail.

Moderator:
Mr. Caldwell, same question—how do you build more affordable housing? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: Mikie and I are aligned: expand first-time/first-generation homebuyer programs and programs to help seniors downsize. Protect open space while reusing empty office parks and building on existing infrastructure. “Affordable housing” is often middle-class housing—police and teachers qualify. We want housing people can truly afford. As a parent and university president, I worry about whether young people can stay and buy a home.

Moderator: Would you keep Mount Laurel as is—requiring every town to build affordable housing?

Caldwell: We’ll ensure Mount Laurel is used in ways that also protect open space.

Moderator: Unemployment is ticking up. Mr. Caldwell, how will you help New Jerseyans keep or get jobs? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: At Centenary, we’ve built vocational partnerships, like with the IDEAL Institute of Technology in Pleasantville, which pays students to train for in-demand jobs. I’m a proponent of small business—49% of the workforce. We’ll cut bureaucracy and help small businesses grow, generating jobs and revenue to help with property taxes. The Trump administration’s DoJ [inaudible: “DOJ”? “DOL”?] changes cost tens of thousands of jobs in New Jersey. We’re focused on jobs—the best social program.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, same question. 60 seconds.

GANNON: We must make sure employers can stay here—sweeten the deal so they don’t move to Pennsylvania. In Morris County, we even train people in the correctional facility—food-handling certifications, etc.—so they leave with skills and jobs. We have to be competitive so employers don’t move a few miles west.

Caldwell (brief add): I started the Young Men’s Employment Network Conference with Rutgers–Newark, teaching interview skills, tying a tie, with corporate partners. Hands-on programs for urban and suburban communities help people get jobs and pay their bills.

Reporter Eric Scott, NJ 101.5: Name one state agency that needs reform and how you’d reorganize it. Mr. Gannon first. 60 seconds.

Gannon: The Motor Vehicle Commission gets a lot of scrutiny. People can’t get REAL ID appointments—call today, get it in January. Maybe it’s leadership, maybe resources, but we need to fix it. We’re the last state not fully done. Collect metrics like in business, figure out why, and tackle it head on so everyone can get REAL ID.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, same question. 60 seconds.

Caldwell: The MVC is one, but Mikie’s emphasized transparency and accountability across government. We’ll be a customer-service-focused administration. People can’t even dig a hole without bureaucracy. We’ll build a dashboard for small businesses to track their permits and processes. At Deloitte, I oversaw a review of Human Services under a prior administration and found $90 million in additional revenue. We’ll improve operations for the people of New Jersey.

Gannon: My background is in this. The President isn’t just coming in here. We have relationships with FBI, DEA, etc., built from the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Violent crime is down; we work hard on burglaries, car thefts, and more. This is serious business, not partisan. New Jersey cops are second to none.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, same question. 60 seconds.

Caldwell: Mikie has tremendous prosecutorial experience. I hope the Sheriff is right, but look at where the Trump administration has sent troops elsewhere—it traumatizes communities. I led training for Jersey City Police on moving beyond command-and-control models that leave trauma. If troops came here, we’d fight that vigorously, protect residents, and keep crime trending down with strong community programs and jobs.

Moderator: New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive (2018) limits assistance state and local law enforcement may provide to ICE. Mr. Caldwell, your party has been open to “sanctuary” policies—would you change this directive? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: Mikie has sponsored legislation to ensure due process and remove masks from ICE agents. Command-and-control tactics cause trauma and make communities less safe. We will prosecute violent criminals to the full extent of the law, but we must ensure everyone is safe. Many legal residents are fearful to even go to the grocery store. New Jersey is empathetic—we have to reflect that.

Moderator: Yes or no: Would you keep the Immigrant Trust Directive?

Caldwell: We’ll make sure people are safe and the Constitution and New Jersey law are followed. Mikie will appoint a strong attorney general—possibly with something even stronger than the current directive,

Moderator: Follow-up: Should an undocumented person accused/convicted of a violent crime be turned over to immigration officials? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: If convicted of a violent crime, yes. That’s what the Trump administration said at the start—violent criminals. But right now, they’re taking law-abiding taxpayers. We must prosecute violent offenders and create fair pathways for others.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, you’ve said you’d end the directive on day one. What policy replaces it? 60 seconds.

Gannon: Day one, the directive has to go. Police are guardians and warriors—we help people through social programs, but we also have warrior work. After 9/11, the 9/11 Commission found the number one issue was lack of communication. Cases are solved by small pieces of evidence. We need to communicate among local, county, state, and federal partners, including ICE. We’re not trying to be ICE, but we must share information.

Moderator: Should long-time undocumented residents with no criminal record be allowed to stay? 30 seconds.

Gannon: I’d support a properly designed pathway so they can stay—worked out with federal authorities. Our focus must be on violent predators and gangsters—crimes against women and children.

Gannon:
We should not keep secrets from parents—that’s a slippery slope. I also don’t support biological males competing in girls’ sports due to safety and fairness concerns.

Moderator:
Mr. Caldwell, would your administration keep the guidance? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: My father was a Black minister who supported the rights of all individuals, including LGBTQ+ people. The parent-child relationship is sacrosanct, and local school policies matter. Education—including Amistad and other programs—is important. Past administrations tried to make every district the same. We need to consider each child’s unique needs and safety. Mikie and I agree: safety is number one. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep children safe.

Moderator: So you would keep the guidance?

Caldwell: We would review it. At this stage, parts of it make sense.

Moderator: A Republican bill shifts burdens to states/counties. NJ DHS estimates 350,000 eligible residents could lose coverage; the state is at risk of eliminating the [SNAP] program serving 800,000 people. Mr. Caldwell, would your administration find the money to help? From where? 60 seconds.

Caldwell: The Trump administration is directly assaulting the poorest New Jerseyans—$3.6B in Medicaid cuts, 350,000 losing coverage; when the ACA expires, 450,000 could see premiums double. We’ll fight in court and work to find the money, because society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. We’ll also grow businesses—large and small—to generate revenue and ratables.

Moderator: You didn’t specify where the money comes from—do you have a plan? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: We’re identifying sources. If it were easy, it’d be done already. We’ll pursue growth—especially small-business access to capital—to generate additional revenue.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, same question—find money to help? 60 seconds.

Gannon: The (state) budget is $58 billion—up 70% in eight years. We can find the money. If we can fund a $58 million grant for a museum in Jersey City, we can feed people. I work food lines with Table of Hope in Morristown and with St. James on MLK in Newark. The money’s there; we need to go through the budget and prioritize people who need food and shelter.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, would a millionaire’s tax be on the table? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: It’s already on the table. My question is: why do billionaires need tax breaks while money is taken from people on Medicaid? If the budget is “too big,” why are New Jerseyans still struggling?

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, is a millionaire’s tax on the table for you?

Gannon: Taxes are on the table—but be careful about millionaire taxes. Many are employers. We can’t just beat up the people who employ us. We need to look at the whole picture.

Moderator:
Is spending billions to widen the New Jersey Turnpike a good use of taxpayer dollars? Mr. Gannon first. 60 seconds.

Gannon: Transportation is a big problem—400,000 commute to NYC daily, 10,000 to Philly. FIFA 2026 will stress the system. Ciattarelli proposes a Garden State transportation group—Turnpike, Parkway, NJ Transit, AC Expressway—working together. If expanding roads helps commuters, we should do it, but we also need commuters on those committees.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, same question. 60 seconds.

Caldwell: I have to note: Jack’s promises add $6 billion on top of the $5 billion the Trump administration is putting on New Jersey. On transit and affordability, all of that matters. We should look at transportation as a unit statewide—Parkway, Turnpike, Transit—and operational improvements, not just consolidation.

Moderator: NJ Transit plans a 3% annual fare increase. Mr. Caldwell, would you stop that? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: We’ll explore new revenue: transit-oriented villages to increase ratables, advertising (NYC’s system brings in substantial revenue), and leveraging NJ Transit-owned property. We’re bringing a business approach. Blanket promises aren’t realistic.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, stop 3% annual fare hikes? 30 seconds.

Gannon: Yes—stop it. People can’t take it anymore. Audit the allocations and inject innovation. Doing the same thing and expecting different results doesn’t work.

Moderator: Tolls have also risen 3% annually since 2020. Mr. Gannon, would that continue? 30 seconds.

Gannon: I’d like to see it stop. People can’t afford it. We need a full review and innovation, learning from other states and countries.

Moderator: Mr. Caldwell, allow the 3% toll increases to continue? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: Our focus is to keep tolls flat and find innovative revenue. We need to look at interactions among agencies operationally. Some places, like Connecticut, eliminated tolls. There are options. But Ciattarelli’s added billions, plus the Trump administration’s billions—there isn’t enough “waste” to cover that.

Moderator: Reverse congestion pricing—charging to enter New Jersey while NYC charges to enter Manhattan. Mr. Caldwell, do you support that? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: New Jerseyans abhor NYC’s congestion pricing. We need to assess revenue options carefully; sometimes higher tolls reduce revenue and hurt small businesses. I’m not interested in reverse congestion pricing.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, reverse congestion pricing? 30 seconds.

Gannon: We have to look at it, but I’m concerned about affordability. People already face high commuting costs.

Moderator: Governor Phil Murphy: Mr. Caldwell, what’s one part of his legacy you would change? 30 seconds.

Caldwell: We’d put forward a different plan to keep prices flat. As I’ve said, he won’t be in office when we are; we’ll review his programs with fresh eyes.

Moderator: Mr. Gannon, what’s one part you’d build on? 30 seconds.

Gannon: No cell phones in classrooms—let kids learn. Education is vital. We’ve slipped from second to 12th on the national report card; we need to do better.

Closing Statements

Gannon (60 seconds):
Thank you, WPIX 11, and thanks to Dr. Caldwell. I’m a kid from Boonton who’s been fortunate. My father took me to work 40 years ago and said, “Be good to people. Be a public servant.” I’ve tried to do that for 40+ years. As lieutenant governor, I’ll always do the right thing for New Jersey. Jack Ciattarelli is a man of integrity and ready to lead the Garden State. Thank you.

Caldwell (60 seconds):
Thank you to WPIX, NJ 101.5, the sponsors, and our audience. I opened with experience, empathy, and ethics. Mikie and I have the experience and empathy—my mission statement is Proverbs 31:8–9: be a voice for the voiceless. On ethics, even Bill Spadea—whom I often disagree with—focuses on small business, and he says you can’t believe what Jack Ciattarelli says. The Sheriff is a gentleman, but Jack has promised things you can’t pay for. With the Trump administration putting $5–6 billion on New Jersey and Jack promising more, we must do better and move forward.