New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is calling on Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell to resign after an independent investigation substantiated three workplace and ethics violations, including sexual harassment. The 61-page report found that Caldwell made a sexual comment to a female staffer, brought personal guests to ticketed events without required payment or clearance and used his position to seek a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship. The investigation found that the lieutenant governor engaged in “serious, repeated violations of state policy” and “failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office,” Sherrill wrote in a statement, saying she was giving Caldwell until Friday to step down.
Newsweek reached out to Caldwell's office for comment via email outside of normal business hours. Caldwell is New Jersey’s fourth lieutenant governor and 35th secretary of state, serving alongside Sherrill. As secretary of state, he leads the Department of State and serves as New Jersey’s chief election officer.
His official biography lists a long background in education, community service and ministry. Caldwell has served as a United Methodist pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey, since 2021, according to the church website. He also has served for 26 years on the New Brunswick Board of Education.
"Service, faith, and justice are deeply rooted in his family legacy," his biography reads. Before joining the administration, Caldwell was president of Centenary University. His career has included leadership positions at Fairleigh Dickinson University, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the Newark Alliance and Deloitte Consulting.
He has a daughter in college. The investigation began with an anonymous letter dated May 6 that was received by the governor’s office chief ethics officer the following week. The report substantiated a violation of New Jersey’s Workplace Policy, finding that Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend.
After the advance was rebuffed, Caldwell told the staffer, referring to her and her friend, “you young women are looking for young sperm,” according to the report. Investigators said the comment was sexual in nature and caused the staffer to change how she interacted with Caldwell, distance herself from him and avoid traveling with him when possible. The report concluded that his conduct constituted sexual harassment and was derogatory or demeaning based on sex.
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