Dale Caldwell resigned Friday as lieutenant governor of New Jersey after an investigation discovered “severe, repeated violations of state coverage, together with moral lapses and a substantiated discovering of sexual harassment,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill mentioned.
His resignation got here after the governor launched on Thursday the findings of an investigation into Caldwell over a number of ethics violation complaints.
The probe discovered there was credible proof that Caldwell made “a romantic advance towards a feminine staffer’s good friend,” and after his advance was rebuffed, he made sexually inappropriate feedback to the staffer about their good friend, in response to the investigation’s findings.
Dale Caldwell, lieutenant governor for New Jersey, speaks after being sworn-in throughout an inauguration ceremony at Prudential Corridor at New Jersey Performing Arts Middle in Newark, N.J.,, Jan. 20, 2026.
Adam Grey/Bloomberg through Getty Photos
The investigation “lays out a sample and follow of long run regarding habits a number of ethics trainings, a number of ethics violations, sexual harassment, substantial claims of sexual harassment and statements by the lieutenant governor within the report so clearly he was absolutely concerned on this as nicely,” Sherrill mentioned at a information convention Friday.
In an announcement to ABC New York station WABC, Caldwell’s lawyer mentioned they may “proceed to forcefully problem the report.”
“Dr. Caldwell’s resignation, submitted to place an finish to the focused marketing campaign to discredit his character, doesn’t in any method diminish our outrage regarding the investigative course of and its specious findings,” mentioned Thomas R. Calcagni, counsel to Caldwell. “Counsel is absolutely exploring all authorized cures to make sure a real, balanced, and unbiased document.”
The probe started with an nameless criticism accusing the lieutenant governor of “hitting on girls at features whereas touring utilizing taxpayer cash,” and “handing out his state enterprise playing cards and asking girls out on dates,” in response to investigators.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill holds a press convention concerning the Lieutenant Governor in Trenton, N.J. Sept. 25, 2026.
New Jersey Workplace of the Governor
Caldwell’s staff “repeatedly cautioned him about his habits,” investigators mentioned, however they discovered he additionally tried “on a number of events to safe a promotion for a state worker with whom he had a romantic relationship.”
“I maintain everybody in my Administration to the best moral commonplace. All of us have an obligation to comply with our state ethics and harassment coverage and our Code of Conduct. Anybody who violates these will probably be held accountable,” Sherrill mentioned in an announcement Thursday the place she gave Caldwell a day to resign.
A number of different outstanding New Jersey elected officers, together with Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., additionally referred to as on Caldwell to resign after the report was launched.
“New Jerseyans need to have public servants who work to earn and hold their belief, not undermine it. The findings of the unbiased report are unacceptable,” Kim mentioned in a social media submit Friday.
In New Jersey, the lieutenant governor serves because the secretary of state as nicely and oversees the state company that features oversight of elections. New Jersey’s counties and municipalities deal with a lot of the administration of elections.
Sherrill mentioned Friday she is appointing an interim secretary of state to supervise the midterm elections.
-ABC Information’ Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
