New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell Resigns Over Harassment

Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell resigned on Friday, September 25, 2026, after an independent investigation substantiated allegations of sexual harassment and repeated ethics violations. The 61-page report, conducted by the law firm Lowenstein Sandler and led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino, found that Caldwell made a sexually charged remark about "young sperm" to a staffer, used his official email to seek a promotion for a romantic partner, and brought unpaid personal guests to seven ticketed events.

Governor Mikie Sherrill publicly demanded Caldwell's resignation on Thursday, giving him until Friday to step down. She stated the findings reflected a pattern of behavior that failed to meet her administration's standards. Because the lieutenant governor is an independently elected official, Sherrill could not fire him directly, leading to a brief standoff where removal would have required impeachment by the legislature.

Caldwell and his attorney, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the findings, characterizing the probe as a one-sided process lacking due process. Caldwell denied the harassment claims and suggested that false accusations against people of color are commonplace in the current political environment. He stated he resigned to avoid being a "distraction to the administration" rather than because of the report's findings.

Republican leaders criticized Sherrill for a lack of transparency, noting that the investigation began in May but remained private while Caldwell served as acting governor 18 times. Following the resignation, Sherrill appointed Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu as acting lieutenant governor to oversee the upcoming midterm elections.