New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigns after inquiry finds sexual harassment and ethics violations

New Jersey’s Democratic lieutenant governor has stepped down following demands from the governor after an inquiry uncovered allegations of sexual harassment and ethical breaches related to his interactions with women.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill delivered an ultimatum to Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell requiring his departure by Friday, despite lacking the executive authority to oust him directly.

She confirmed his resignation during an afternoon press briefing.

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

Sherrill selected Caldwell, a Methodist pastor and former president of Centenary University, to join her ticket last year.

The pair won election and assumed their roles in January, but an anonymous complaint regarding Caldwell's conduct toward women surfaced just four months into their term.

Because the lieutenant governor is independently elected in New Jersey, the governor cannot directly dismiss them.

However, the state Legislature holds the authority to impeach and remove a lieutenant governor, while a governor can strip the official of virtually all duties to effectively sideline them.

Sherrill commissioned an independent inquiry led by the law firm of Christopher Porrino, a former New Jersey attorney general.

The resulting report, published on Thursday, detailed multiple infractions of state protocol by Caldwell, 66.

Investigators found that he made unwanted advances toward a staff member’s friend, telling the employee after being rejected that "you young women are looking for young sperm."

Additionally, the report stated that Caldwell attempted to secure a job promotion for a state worker he was romantically involved with and invited personal guests to ticketed functions, including the opera, without paying for them as mandated by ethics guidelines.

Caldwell rejected the allegations. In a written response appended to the firm’s findings, he suggested his personal life was facing heightened scrutiny due to his status as a single Black man.

His attorney, Thomas Calcagni, asserted that Caldwell never made the remark about sperm nor leveraged his position to further his romantic life.

Calcagni acknowledged Caldwell recommended a female friend for advancement based solely on merit, maintaining he never demanded her promotion or intentionally breached ethics rules by failing to disclose their personal relationship when recommending her.

Sherrill maintained that Caldwell's departure was essential, pointing out he had engaged in "serious, repeated violations of state policy," even after receiving multiple warnings and training sessions.

Beyond being first in line to succeed the governor, Caldwell had served as New Jersey’s appointed secretary of state, giving him administrative oversight of state elections.

The political rift mirrors recent friction in neighboring New York, where Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul faced a bitter primary challenge from her estranged Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado before he exited the race.

Hochul is seeking reelection this November alongside her new lieutenant governor nominee, Adrienne Adams, the former speaker of the New York City Council.