NJ governor calls on lieutenant governor to resign

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) on Thursday released an independent investigation report and demanded the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell. The report substantiated allegations of sexual harassment and multiple ethics violations against Caldwell. Investigators concluded that Caldwell made inappropriate sexual remarks to a female staff members, improperly attempted to secure a state-job promotion for a romantic partner without disclosing their relationship and repeatedly brought personal guests to ticketed events without paying or obtaining ethics clearance. Sherrill said in a statement that Caldwell had "engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy" that persisted despite multiple warnings. She gave him a deadline to step down from his position by Friday. Sherrill and Caldwell ran together as a joint ticket and took office in January 2026. In New Jersey, the governor and lieutenant governor must run on a single joint ticket during the general election, which is partly why Sherrill's demand for his resignation marks a dramatic political split from her own chosen second-in-command.