Dale Caldwell, the lieutenant governor of New Jersey, resigned on Friday following the release of a report that accused him of sexually harassing a female staffer and committing other ethics violations.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Friday afternoon that Caldwell had submitted his resignation earlier that day.
The 66-year-old Caldwell’s decision came one day after Sherrill demanded his resignation, citing an investigation that found he violated state ethics rules and engaged in sexual harassment.
The 61-page report found credible evidence that Caldwell made romantic advances toward a female staffer’s friend, attempted to secure a promotion for his girlfriend, and gave tickets to personal guests without reimbursement.
Thomas Calcagni, Caldwell’s lawyer, stated they would “continue to forcefully challenge the report.”
“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,” Calcagni said. “Counsel is fully exploring all legal remedies to ensure a true, balanced, and unbiased record.”
Sherrill, a Democrat, appointed state acting comptroller Shirley Emehelu as the acting lieutenant governor.
“We can no longer tolerate the culture of silence, sweeping things under the rug or kicking cans down the road,” Sherrill said at a Friday press conference in Trenton. “New Jerseyans deserve fairness and they deserve accountability.”
The resignation comes just weeks before midterm elections, which the lieutenant governor is responsible for overseeing.
Sherrill initiated an investigation into Caldwell in May after receiving an anonymous letter accusing him of “bringing uninvited female guests to events while traveling using taxpayer funds” and “hitting on women at functions.”
Investigators ultimately concluded that aspects of the allegations were credible.
In one instance, investigators said Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend and then made a “derogatory or demeaning reference” about women after his advances were rebuffed.
Caldwell allegedly told the staffer that women like them were ambitious and successful and needed a man in a position to help them, “but you young women are looking for young sperm.”
Investigators also found that Caldwell advocated for the promotion of his girlfriend, a state employee, to a “senior leadership position.” Caldwell acknowledged he did not disclose the nature of his relationship with the state employee until confronted.
Caldwell pushed for his girlfriend’s promotion even after being informed he was under investigation. She ultimately did not get the promotion and no longer works in state government.
Credible evidence also determined Caldwell brought at least three personal guests, including his girlfriend, to ticketed events in his capacity as lieutenant governor without advance authorization or payment.
After Sherrill announced the report’s findings and called for Caldwell’s resignation, it was unclear whether he would step down.
As lieutenant governor, Caldwell also served as New Jersey’s secretary of state, the chief elections officer.
With just 39 days until the midterm elections, Sherrill said she tapped Emehelu to ensure “all eligible New Jerseyans can make their voices heard.”
“Shirley is a veteran of the US Department of Justice and the New Jersey attorney general’s office. She has the judgment to run these elections and the strength to stand up to Trump’s attacks on voting,” Sherrill added.
Sherrill has 45 days to name a permanent replacement for Caldwell.