NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has accepted the resignation of her lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, after an investigation found he sexually harassed women.
This caps a whirlwind 24 hours. Sherrill called on Caldwell to resign Thursday night, saying an independent investigation found that he “engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.” Sherrill said she talked with Caldwell Thursday, texted with him on Friday, and he submitted his resignation Friday afternoon.
The 61-page independent report found that Caldwell sexually harassed a staffer's friend after she turned him down, and that Caldwell tried to get a promotion for a state employee he was dating (without disclosing the relationship), in violation of state ethics rules. Caldwell, for his part, denied the allegations and has called the report one-sided. But Sherrill encouraged those who think so to read the report, and she said a culture change was taking place.
Sherrill said she looked into Caldwell's background before selecting him as a running mate.
"The vetting process was thorough. And unfortunately, some of the behavior from the time he took office raised concerns and led to the chief ethics officer starting an independent investigation," Sherrill said.
Cadlwell also served as New Jersey secretary of state, overseeing elections. With New Jersey 39 days away from election day, Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu will serve as acting secretary of state. Sherrill said she would name a new lieutenant governor within 45 days.
Caldwell was the first man and the first Black man to hold the position since it was established in 2010.
