New Jersey governor demands resignation of Dale Caldwell after ethics and harassment inquiry

Resignation call and investigation findings

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill called on Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday following the release of an internal ethics investigation. The 61-page report, completed by a law firm led by former state attorney general Christopher Porrino, concluded that Caldwell engaged in behavior that constituted sexual harassment and repeatedly violated state workplace rules. Porrino, who previously served under Republican Governor Chris Christie, submitted the findings to the governor on Wednesday after a monthslong inquiry. Sherrill initiated the probe in May 2026 after receiving an anonymous letter alleging improper conduct toward women by Caldwell, who was her handpicked running mate. News of the secret inquiry was first published on 4 September 2026 by the New Jersey Globe.

The investigation found that the Lieutenant Governor engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.

Documented harassment and ethics violations

The investigation detailed several distinct violations of New Jersey workplace discrimination and ethics policies during Caldwell's tenure. In April 2026, Caldwell made an advance toward a female staff member's friend. When his advance was rebuffed, Caldwell told the staff member that ambitious women required influential men in positions to assist them, stating that young women were looking for young sperm. Investigators rejected Caldwell's denial as not credible, though the report clarified that there were no allegations of inappropriate physical contact with subordinates.

The inquiry further revealed that Caldwell twice attempted to secure a promotion to a senior leadership position for a state employee he was dating. Caldwell failed to disclose their romantic relationship and continued advocating for her advancement even after being notified that he was under investigation. The employee did not receive the promotion and subsequently left state government employment. Investigators also found that Caldwell violated ethics rules by bringing nonpaying personal guests to seven ticketed events. The report noted that when an event sponsor waives admission for an official's family member, friend, or date, the waived admission represents an impermissible benefit to the official.

Defense response and legal authority

Caldwell and his legal team rejected the conclusions of the report and criticized the conduct of the inquiry. Attorney Thomas Calcagni characterized the investigation as a one-sided proceeding that failed to provide basic due process protections. Caldwell, a 66-year-old former president of Centenary University who is Black, denied the allegations and suggested that race and gender influenced the scrutiny directed against him.

The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations.

While Governor Sherrill demanded his immediate resignation by Friday, New Jersey law provides the governor no unilateral constitutional authority to dismiss an elected lieutenant governor. Sherrill stated that Caldwell's ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and ethics training sessions, concluding that his departure remains in the best interest of New Jersey residents.