10/03/2026
Dale Caldwell, accountability, and the responsibility to tell the whole story. Mosaicnjcom NJ.com
Q: What specific changes would make political spaces safer and more accountable, both for people reporting misconduct and for those affected by the investigative process?
Dr. Patricia Campos Medina says New Jersey needs an independent authority to investigate and prosecute sexual misconduct cases that is not tied to the traditional political appointment process.
Similar to civilian review boards that examine police misconduct, such a body could hold perpetrators accountable and remove them from positions of public trust when warranted.
But structural reforms alone are not enough. New Jersey politics also needs a culture shift that treats workplace bullying, harassment and abuse of power with greater seriousness and consequences.
Too often, male political operatives control hiring, firing and contract decisions, giving them significant influence over women’s careers.
Changing that culture requires more women serving as consultants, running campaigns and holding elected and appointed positions.
Dr. Patricia Campos Medina said the recent controversy demonstrated the importance of having women in leadership roles.
The power imbalance can be even greater for women of color, who are often underrepresented in positions of authority. They can face both the harm itself and a lack of advocates willing to speak on their behalf.
Campos-Medina argues that the current system often expects compliance from women of color, while those who report misconduct risk being sidelined or excluded from careers in government and politics.
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