LG race will put at least one job in play

Depending on the outcome of the New Jersey governor’s race, there will either be a special election for Morris County Sheriff or a search committee to select a new president of Centenary University in 2026.

If Jack Ciattarelli wins, his running mate, James Gannon, will need to resign as sheriff to become lieutenant governor.  And if Mikie Sherrill is elected, Dale Caldwell will have to step down from his position as college president.

Democrats didn’t recruit an opponent against Gannon in his sheriff’s race this year, so he’ll be on the ballot twice.  He’d likely take the oath of office for a fourth term as sheriff before resigning to become lieutenant governor on January 20.

If that happens, the undersheriff — designated by Gannon — would become acting sheriff.  There’s no special election convention – vacancies for constitutional offices are filled by gubernatorial nomination, with advise and consent of the State Senate.  The primary and general election next year would be for a three-year term, not an unexpired term.

Possible candidates in a GOP primary include: Undersheriff Mark Spitzer, a former Mount Oliver police chief; Undersheriff Richard Rose, a former executive captain at the Morris County Prosecutor’s office; Kelley Zienowicz, the chief sheriff’s officer; Rockaway Borough Police Chief Conrad Pepperman, a former Mine Hill councilman; Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, the president of the New Jersey State Association of Police Chiefs; and Morris County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo.

“I am honored and humbled to hear folks are talking about me as a potential candidate for Sheriff, when Jack Ciattarelli becomes governor. The Sheriff will leave some big shoes to fill. However, right now I am laser-focused on making sure Jack and Jimmy win with a big margin in Morris County and across New Jersey,” Pepperman told the New Jersey Globe.  “Once that occurs, I will weigh my options, talk with supporters, and make a decision at that time.”

Gannon would undoubtedly hold an outsized influence in any race to succeed him, and as lieutenant governor – likely with Ciattarelli in tow — would be positioned to clear the field if he wanted to.   He could also opt to stay out of the race.

Two Republican leaders said that if Sherrill wins the governor’s race, there would be significant interest in recruiting Gannon to run in a special election for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district.

As lieutenant governor, Caldwell could indirectly influence the selection of his own successor at Centenary, but not directly, since the college is private.  But Caldwell would be positioned to play a role in searches for state-run college presidents.

If Caldwell wins, he will become the first university president to win a statewide election in New Jersey since Woodrow Wilson, who was president of Princeton when he was elected governor in 1910.