New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigns, Gov. Mikie Sherrill says
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell submitted his resignation Friday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced.
The move comes after Sherrill called for him to resign in the wake of an investigation into accusations of inappropriate behavior with women, along with ethics violations.
"I gave the lieutenant governor until today to resign. He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted. I appreciate his service both on the campaign, and in the first months of this administration," Sherrill said. "His decision will allow us to move forward with important work serving the people of our state."
Sherrill announced that acting State Comptroller Shirley Emehelu will serve as acting secretary of state while Sherrill selects a new lieutenant governor.
The investigation's findings were released earlier this week. The investigation found Caldwell told a female staffer "you young women are looking for young sperm" after he allegedly made romantic advances toward that staffer's friend and was rejected.
Caldwell's attorney called the investigation one-sided, saying a state trooper did not hear the exchange.
"We continue to forcefully challenge the report," Caldwell's attorney Thomas Calcagni said. "Dr. Caldwell's resignation, submitted to put an end to the targeted campaign to discredit his character, does not in any way diminish our outrage concerning the investigative process and its specious findings. Counsel is fully exploring all legal remedies to ensure a true, balanced, and unbiased record."
"As outlined in the report, the investigation found that the lieutenant governor failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office, and that he demonstrated a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this administration," Sherrill said. "The report documents serious, repeated violations of state policy, including ethical lapses and a substantiated finding of sexual harassment."
Sherrill said she appreciated Caldwell's service, and mentioned Caldwell's deep commitment to addressing "longstanding challenges facing Black communities across our state."
"I think Dale felt that it was important because he cared about the agenda of the people of New Jersey, and he knew what difficult times we are in given all the attacks from the federal government on affordability and voting rights," Sherrill said.
Republicans are calling for a legislative investigation with subpoena power, saying Sherrill left the state more than a dozen times, which put Caldwell in charge.
"How careless was that, to leave the state in the hands of someone who was under an active investigation, and apparently serious investigation," state Senator Declan O'Scanlon said.
Sherrill said the investigation was "thorough, and it was impartial."
"Let me be clear: all credible allegations of misconduct must be fully investigated and addressed," Sherrill said. "In my administration we are committed to doing what is right, not what is politically expedient."
Republicans also allege a whistleblower from Caldwell's previous job contacted the campaign with similar accusations.
"I know that no one ever spoke to the person making the accusation. What do they think, this was going to be swept under the rug and go away?" O'Scanlon said.
"That was raised to the law firm. They looked into it and determined it was an administrative matter at the college," Sherrill said.
The investigation found Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed state events and tried to get his girlfriend promoted without disclosing their relationship.
Political analyst Micah Rasmussen of Rider University said Sherrill acted decisively.
"She can say when there's a problem, she acts on them. She put him under investigation," Rasmussen said.
Sherrill has 45 days to choose a new lieutenant governor, and she says she is going to take her time to pick the right candidate. In the meantime, per New Jersey's constitution, the Senate president becomes acting governor when Sherrill is out of state.
