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New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell Resigns a Day After Gov. Mikie Sherrill Releases an Ethics Report Substantiating Sexual Harassment and Demands He Step Down — Sherrill Says Trenton's Culture Has Been "to Sweep This Under the Rug," While Caldwell Says His Resignation "Should Not Be Interpreted as an Admission of Wrongdoing"
September 27, 2026
On Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill released an independent investigation, conducted by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, that found Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell committed "serious, repeated violations of state policy, including ethical lapses and a substantiated finding of sexual harassment," and called on him to resign. The report said Caldwell made sexually inappropriate comments to a staffer after a staffer's friend rebuffed his advances, and tried repeatedly to secure a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship. Caldwell resigned the next afternoon, Sept. 25, while disputing the findings; his lawyer said counsel was "fully exploring all legal remedies." Caldwell also served as secretary of state, New Jersey's chief election official, 39 days before the midterms — Sherrill named Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu acting secretary of state and said she would appoint a permanent lieutenant governor within the 45 days state law allows.
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“Public service – holding the public trust – is a privilege, not a right. … [Caldwell] engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office. … He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted. … There has been a culture in Trenton, probably since the birth of our nation, to sweep this under the rug. That is not the kind of government I'm running.
“I have made the difficult decision to resign because I do not want this matter to distract from the important work. … My resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing or acceptance of the report's findings. … I strongly dispute the report, which I believe is inaccurate and cites violations that are unsubstantiated.
“Following an independent investigation, Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell was right to resign from office today.