NJ Gov. Sherrill demands hand-picked Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell’s resignation after sex harassment probe

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell — her handpicked second-in-command — to resign Thursday night after a bombshell sexual harassment investigation revealed he tried to get his girlfriend promoted, made a revolting sexual comment to a staffer, and ignored repeated warnings over his inappropriate behavior.

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The explosive released Thursday paints a picture of a politician run amok, detailing how Caldwell, 66, used his taxpayer-funded position to score expensive event tickets for his romantic conquests, pull strings to try to get his secret girlfriend a cushy state promotion, and task his own aides with finding him a “first lady.” 

“I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so,” Sherrill declared in a statement on Thursday evening.

“I hold everyone in my Administration to the highest ethical standard. We all have a duty to follow our state ethics and harassment policy and our Code of Conduct. Anyone who violates these will be held accountable.”

The Democratic governor’s office launched the independent investigation into one of its own in May after receiving an anonymous letter accusing Caldwell, the former president of Centenary University, of inappropriate behavior towards women.

The probe led by former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino and authored by law firm Lowenstein Sandler concluded that the lieutenant governor’s behavior “constituted sexual harassment and was derogatory or demeaning.”

One of the most disturbing accusations in the report occurred in April 2026 when Caldwell hit on a staffer’s much younger friend at an official event, then lashed out in the back of his state vehicle after being rejected, explicitly telling a female aide that “you young women are looking for young sperm,” the report alleged.

Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, denied that his client made the stomach-turning comment.

Another explosive allegation was the pol’s quest to find a “first lady purportedly in connection with a potential candidacy for Governor,” according to the report.

Caldwell, who is divorced, allegedly tasked a staffer with the job of finding him a “first lady,” and when she said no, he became “pushy” on the subject, the report said.

Less than a month after the lieutenant governor was “admonished and trained” in “workplace conduct and ethics matters,” and just four days after being notified of the probe into his behavior, the report alleged he abused his position of power by using his state email account to get his girlfriend, who was a government employee, a “senior leadership position” promotion.

Caldwell referred to the woman seeking a role as a “friend,” but it was revealed that he was in a romantic relationship with her, the report states.

Calcagni said Caldwell forwarded the employee’s résumé and did not disclose their personal relationship.

“There is a difference between failing to disclose a personal relationship when forwarding the résumé of a qualified job applicant and actually using the power of public office to secure a job or financial benefit for someone,” Calcagni told NJ.com.

However, the report said by “recommending a person with whom he was in a dating relationship for a promotion, the LG clearly violated” the Uniform Ethics Code.

“These rules do not turn on whether the LG’s request was framed as a demand, as they prohibit any attempt to use one’s official position to benefit a romantic partner,” the report added.

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The woman did not receive the promotion and no longer works for the state.

Caldwell is also accused of repeatedly bringing personal guests — including his daughter and girlfriend — to at least seven ticketed events and scoring free admission for them by using his official title.

Investigators determined the Democrat violated the Uniform Ethics Code and Governor’s Code of Conduct, but Caldwell claimed “he did not fully understand the applicable rules, that the area was ‘gray,’ and that he did nothing wrong by bringing guests to events,” according to the report.

He reimbursed the state for one $175 admission to an event after he was told he couldn’t accept free tickets, his attorney said.

Calcagni hit back at the accusations in a statement to NJ.com, claiming “this unnecessary protected and one-sided process lacked the requisite due process that should be afforded every citizen of this state.”

Caldwell himself claimed the report was “driven by misinformation, false assumptions and what seems to be a personal vendetta against me,” in a statement to the New York Times.

“Unfortunately, in this current political environment, false accusations, especially against people of color, seem to be commonplace,” he wrote.

The investigation — which has already cost taxpayers $50,000, according to the outlet — was kept under wraps until recent weeks when allegations that prompted the probe were leaked to the public.

Sherrill clammed up about the ethics review, refusing to confirm or deny leaks to the media until her Thursday announcement.

Anxious Democrats were left in the dark as the investigation unfolded, leading critics to slam Sherrill for hiding the truth, though supporters insist she was merely protecting the victims.

The inquiry comes just seven months after Sherrill and Caldwell were sworn in. 

In July 2025, Sherrill lauded Caldwell as a “voice for the voiceless” and someone who is “committed to New Jersey” when she tapped him to be her running mate against Republican Jack Ciattarelli. 

“I’m proud to select Dale Caldwell as my Lieutenant Governor running mate because we share a commitment to public service and challenging the status quo,” Sherrill said at the time. 

“Dale is the son of civil rights leaders who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma — and he’s followed in his parents’ footsteps and he has always been a voice for the voiceless.”

New Jersey Republicans have demanded that Caldwell, who is also oversees the Department of State, be placed on leave while the investigation plays out. 

“Considering the complex duties of his position, Lt. Gov. Caldwell should temporarily step down from his duties as Lieutenant Governor,” GOP state Senate leader Anthony Bucco wrote on X on Sept. 4.

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