New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday, September 25, 2026, after an independent investigation substantiated allegations of sexual harassment and multiple ethics violations. Caldwell’s attorney strongly disputed the findings, calling the probe a one-sided process lacking proper due process.
New Jersey’s political landscape shifted dramatically when Gov. Mikie Sherrill publicly demanded the immediate resignation of her handpicked second-in-command, Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell. The ultimatum follows the release of a 61-page investigative report detailing serious, repeated violations of state policy
that lawyers and investigators concluded compromised his official responsibilities.
Sexual Harassment Findings and Workplace Misconduct
According to the report, Caldwell made a romantic advance toward the friend of a female staff member in April. When told the woman was not interested, Caldwell remarked that ambitious women needed powerful men, adding you young women are looking for young sperm.
Investigators examined the exchange and concluded that Caldwell’s denial of the remark was not credible. The staffer involved reportedly attempted to distance herself from Caldwell in the workplace and avoid traveling with him after the incident.
“The substantiated finding of sexual harassment is extremely troubling. I’ve seen firsthand how a hostile culture can undermine everyone’s ability to succeed. It’s insidious and ruptures the trust within an organization.”
Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey
Ethics Breaches Involve Romantic Partner and Ticketed Events
Beyond the harassment finding, the report substantiated two distinct ethics violations. Investigators found that Caldwell made a practice of bringing personal guests to ticketed events without paying or securing advance clearance from the state ethics officer on seven occasions. The report noted this conduct continued even after he received warnings and training, including an incident on May 23—just one day after he received formal notice that an investigation had been launched.
The investigation also uncovered that Caldwell used his office and state email account to advocate for a promotion for a female state employee with whom he was romantically involved. On May 26, less than one month after formal training on workplace conduct and ethics, Caldwell reached out to an official in another executive branch department to recommend his partner for a leadership role, forwarding her resume without disclosing their personal relationship.
While the employee ultimately did not receive the promotion and has since left state government, investigators emphasized that state ethics rules prohibit any attempt to use an official position to benefit a romantic partner regardless of whether the request was framed as a direct demand.
Legal Pushback and Defense Strategy
In an earlier May response to the state ethics officer, Caldwell maintained that false accusations are frequently directed against people of color in the current political climate and asserted he had never pursued anyone romantically while conducting official business.
Following the release of the report, Calcagni criticized the investigative process as protracted and one-sided, arguing that his client was denied adequate due process to address anonymous claims or present favorable witnesses.
“The question is not simply whether investigators believed one person over another. The question is whether the evidence actually proves that a violation occurred. In our view, the evidence does not support these findings.”
Thomas Calcagni, Attorney for Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell
Political Stakes and Enforcement Options Ahead
Because Caldwell holds an elected constitutional office alongside Sherrill following their landslide victory last fall, the governor does not possess unilateral authority to fire him. Caldwell must either resign voluntarily or face impeachment proceedings in the state Legislature.