# New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns over ethics violations

> Dale Caldwell steps down after investigation finds sexual harassment and ethics breaches.
- Title: New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns over ethics violations
- Summary: Dale Caldwell steps down after investigation finds sexual harassment and ethics breaches. A state investigation found credible evidence that Caldwell…
- Keywords: dale caldwell, mikie sherrill, new jersey, lieutenant governor, resignation, ethics violations, sexual harassment, investigation, state government, politics, news, Jersey
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/new-jersey-lieutenant-governor-resigns-ethics-report-rcna599885
- Author: Rebecca Shabad
- Published: 2026-09-25T21:18:02.282+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dale caldwell, mikie sherrill, new jersey, lieutenant governor, resignation, ethics violations, sexual harassment, investigation, state government, politics, news
## New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns
Dale Caldwell stepped down Friday after Governor Mikie Sherrill released an ethics investigation finding he violated state policy through sexual harassment and other misconduct.

> He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted.
## Investigation found three violations
The 61-page report found Caldwell made inappropriate comments to a female staffer, brought unpaid guests to ticketed events, and sought a promotion for a romantic partner.

> engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office
## Caldwell's lawyers disputed findings
Caldwell denied the allegations and his attorneys said the investigation was one-sided and lacked proper due process, with conclusions that went beyond the evidence.

> This unnecessarily protracted and one-sided process lacked the requisite due process
## Sherrill defended the investigation
The governor said the probe was thorough and included Caldwell's own statements. She acted quickly once she saw the complaints and findings.

> I think it's very thorough. It lays out exactly what the investigation looked into.
## Part of culture change effort
Sherrill said demanding Caldwell's resignation is part of her effort to dismantle a culture in Trenton that has historically swept misconduct under the rug.

> There has been a culture in Trenton, probably since the birth of our nation, to sweep this under the rug
## Acting comptroller takes over elections
Caldwell was also secretary of state overseeing elections. Shirley Emehelu, the acting comptroller and former Justice Department official, will assume that role.

> Shirley is a veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office
## New lieutenant governor due within 45 days
New Jersey law requires the lieutenant governor position to be filled within 45 days. Sherrill said she will make a permanent appointment but won't name an acting lieutenant governor in the meantime.
## Assembly speaker backs Sherrill's action
State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, a Democrat, praised Sherrill for holding public officials to high standards and said Caldwell was right to resign.

> Following an independent investigation, Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell was right to resign
## Key takeaway

A state investigation found credible evidence that Caldwell violated ethics rules through sexual harassment, misuse of event tickets, and seeking a promotion for a romantic partner.