Lt. Governor-elect Dale Caldwell has named Nabila Baptiste, a Democratic strategist and former Biden administration official, to serve as his chief of staff.
Baptiste was the political director of Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill’s campaign in the Democratic primary, and director of strategic partnerships at the Democratic State Committee in the general election. She had previously served as deputy executive director of the state party, as Biden’s New Jersey state director in 2020, and briefly as deputy finance director for Murphy’s 2021 re-election bid.
From 2021 to 2023, Baptiste was the special assistant to the assistant administrator of USAID, and was the deputy chief of staff to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield from 2023 to 2025
“Nabila Baptiste is the kind of experienced, principled, and dedicated leader New Jersey deserves,” Caldwell stated. “Her deep understanding of our communities, her commitment to public service, and her ability to bring people together make her the ideal person to help guide my office. I am thrilled she is joining our team, and I know she will help us deliver on the promise to make New Jersey more affordable so everybody has an opportunity to get ahead.”
She succeeds Sam Parker, who serves as chief of staff to Lt. Governor Tahesha Way and also as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Phil Murphy, where she heads the appointments office.
Sherrill has not yet announced which cabinet post Caldwell will be assigned – there is considerable speculation that he’ll also be Secretary of State – so it’s unclear if Baptiste will have a state government portfolio beyond the lieutenant governor’s office.
Way and Kim Guadagno served as Secretary of State; Sheila Oliver, who was lieutenant governor before she died in 2023, was Commissioner of Community Affairs.
In a statement, Baptiste said she was excited to work with Caldwell, the president of Centenary University and, as of January 20, 2026, New Jersey’s fourth lieutenant governor.
“His vision for a more collaborative and opportunity-driven New Jersey is one we deeply believe in — and we are on a mission to deliver it,” said Baptiste. “Together, we are going to get right to work on Day One to make real, meaningful progress for the people of New Jersey.”
Sherrill has already named Alex Ball, her campaign manager and former congressional chief of staff, as her chief of staff, and former Superior Court Judge Tim Lydon as chief counsel.
