Caldwell called it quits

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday, a day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on him to step down following an independent investigation that substantiated sexual harassment and repeated violations of state ethics policies.

Caldwell, 66, submitted his resignation Friday afternoon, Sherrill announced at a news conference. The Democratic governor had given Caldwell until Friday to resign after releasing the findings of the investigation Thursday.

“His decision will allow us to move forward with important work serving the people of our state,” Sherrill said. “In my administration we are committed to doing what is right, not what is politically expedient.”

The investigation was conducted by Lowenstein Sandler LLP after the governor’s chief ethics officer received an anonymous complaint in May concerning Caldwell’s conduct.

Former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino, a partner at the firm who served under former Republican Governor Chris Christie, led the investigation.

The 61-page report concluded that Caldwell violated New Jersey’s workplace harassment policy and state ethics rules. Investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend and, after being rebuffed, made a sexual comment to the staffer about younger women.

Investigators concluded that the remark constituted sexual harassment under state workplace policy.

The investigation also found that Caldwell repeatedly advocated for a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without initially disclosing the relationship.

According to the report, Caldwell continued advocating for her promotion even after receiving ethics guidance and after he had been formally notified that he was under investigation.

Investigators also found that Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without obtaining required ethics approval or paying for their admission.

The report said some of Caldwell’s conduct continued despite repeated warnings, counseling and ethics training.

Caldwell has denied wrongdoing and challenged the investigation’s conclusions.

“My resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing or acceptance of the report’s findings,” Caldwell said after stepping down. “I strongly dispute the report, which I believe is inaccurate and cites violations that are unsubstantiated.”

Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas R. Calcagni, also disputed the investigation and said Caldwell’s resignation did not diminish his objections to the process or findings.

“We continue to forcefully challenge the report,” Calcagni said, adding that Caldwell’s attorneys were exploring possible legal remedies.

Sherrill said the findings reflected a broader workplace culture she intends to change.

“There has been a culture in Trenton, probably since the birth of our nation, to sweep this under the rug,” Sherrill said Friday. “That is not the kind of government I’m running. When I say there’s a culture change taking place, I mean it.”

Lisa McCormick, a progressive Democrat and former U.S. Senate candidate, criticized Republican legislative leaders who called for Caldwell’s resignation before the independent investigation was completed, accusing them of applying a different standard to President Donald Trump.

“Republican legislative leaders recklessly demanded Caldwell’s resignation before investigators had finished their work, yet these same politicians have failed to show comparable outrage over the long record of misconduct and criminality involving Donald Trump,” McCormick said. “Public officials should be held accountable based on facts and evidence, not partisan convenience. If these Republicans believe misconduct disqualifies someone from public office, they should apply that principle consistently, regardless of party.”

McCormick said Caldwell should be held accountable for substantiated misconduct but argued that political leaders undermine their credibility when standards of accountability change according to the party affiliation of the official involved.

Caldwell’s departure also leaves vacant the position of secretary of state, an appointed post he held in addition to serving as lieutenant governor.

The secretary of state oversees the Department of State and serves as New Jersey’s chief election official. Sherrill named acting state Comptroller Shirley Emehelu to serve as acting secretary of state as New Jersey prepares for the November midterm elections.

Under the New Jersey Constitution, Sherrill must appoint a new lieutenant governor within 45 days to serve the remainder of Caldwell’s term.

The appointment does not require Senate confirmation, and no special election is required. Until a successor is appointed, Senate President Nicholas Scutari is next in the line of succession when Sherrill is unable to perform the duties of governor.

Caldwell and Sherrill, both Democrats, were elected in November 2025 and took office in January. Sherrill had selected Caldwell, then president of Centenary University and a United Methodist pastor, as her running mate.

Before becoming lieutenant governor, Caldwell served as president of Centenary University and held leadership positions including executive director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, president of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and founding executive director of the Newark Alliance.

He also served for more than two decades on the New Brunswick Board of Education.