# New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment accusation

> New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment report
- Title: New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after sexual…
- Summary: New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment report Caldwell resigned following ethics violations and sexual harassment claims
- Keywords: dale caldwell, mikie sherrill, new jersey, seattle, nfl, sexual harassment, state ethics rules, resignation, midterm elections, acting comptroller, shirley emehelu, news
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/25/new-jersey-lieutenant-governor-resigns-dale-caldwell
- Published: 2026-09-25T19:52:33+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dale caldwell, mikie sherrill, new jersey, seattle, nfl, sexual harassment, state ethics rules, resignation, midterm elections, acting comptroller, shirley emehelu, news
## Resignation announcement
New Jersey lieutenant governor Dale Caldwell resigned after a report found credible evidence of sexual harassment and ethics violations.

> 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
## Investigation findings
Investigators determined Caldwell made romantic advances toward a female staffer’s friend and tried to secure her girlfriend’s promotion.

> 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
## Ethics violations
Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without reimbursement and did not disclose his relationship with a state employee.

> Caldwell acknowledged that he did not disclose the nature of his relationship with the state employee until he was confronted
## Governor's response
Governor Mikie Sherrill appointed Shirley Emehelu as acting secretary of state to oversee elections before midterms.

> We can no longer tolerate the culture of silence, sweeping things under the rug or kicking cans down the road
## Election context
Sherrill named Emehelu to ensure fair voting access as midterm elections approach in 39 days.

> Shirley is a veteran of the US Department of Justice and the New Jersey attorney general’s office
## Key takeaway

Caldwell resigned following ethics violations and sexual harassment claims