New Jersey Governor Demands Lieutenant Governor Resign Amid Misconduct Allegations
Governor Mikie Sherrill has given Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell an ultimatum to resign by end of day after an investigation concluded he behaved inappropriately with women.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is seeking to remove her lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, from office following allegations of inappropriate behavior with women. Sherrill called for Caldwell's resignation Thursday after a law firm hired by the governor concluded he had violated state policy multiple times.
Sherrill, a Democrat, stated that Caldwell's "serious, repeated violations of state policy" continued even after he received multiple warnings and training. The governor selected Caldwell, a Methodist pastor and former university president, as her running mate last year. Caldwell also serves as New Jersey's secretary of state, overseeing elections, and acts as governor when Sherrill is absent.
Caldwell, however, has denied the allegations and has not indicated he will resign. In New Jersey, a governor cannot directly fire a lieutenant governor, as the position is independently elected. Removal from office requires impeachment by the Legislature. However, a governor can strip a lieutenant governor of certain duties, effectively sidelining them.
An investigation report, released Thursday and dated Wednesday, detailed several alleged policy violations by Caldwell, 66. According to the report, Caldwell made an advance toward a staff member's friend and, upon being rebuffed, told the staffer, "you young women are looking for young sperm." The report also stated that Caldwell attempted to secure a promotion for a state employee he was dating and improperly brought personal guests to ticketed events such as the opera.
Caldwell's attorney, Thomas Calcagni, stated that his client "categorically denies" making the offensive remark but acknowledged that Caldwell had recommended the employee for a promotion, denying he ordered it. Caldwell also disputed other claims, including the inappropriate use of his business cards with women.
Caldwell, who is Black, has suggested that his relationships with women may have faced heightened scrutiny due to his race and status as a single Black man. He has served for decades on the New Brunswick Board of Education.
State Republicans have used the investigation into Caldwell to criticize Sherrill's administration, particularly in the weeks leading up to the midterm elections. Republican State Sen. Kristin Corrado questioned Sherrill's judgment in allowing Caldwell to serve as acting governor while his conduct was under investigation, stating, "New Jersey residents deserve leadership, transparency, and answers from their government. So far, we have gotten none."
The situation in New Jersey draws parallels to a recent impasse in New York, where Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul experienced friction with her then-estranged Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who had briefly challenged her in a primary before withdrawing.