NEW JERSEY — An investigation concluded that Caldwell sexually harassed a young female staffer and her friend. The investigation detailed an incident in which Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a staffer's friend and, after being rebuffed, told the staffer, "You young women are looking for young sperm." Caldwell is New Jersey’s secretary of state and oversees the state’s Division of Elections.

Timeline

The investigation found that Caldwell violated ethics rules by taking personal guests to ticketed events without providing payment or reimbursement for the tickets. The investigation found that Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a staffer's friend and, after being rebuffed, told the staffer, You young women are looking for young sperm. The investigation began in May 2026 after Gov. Sherrill’s Chief Ethics Officer received an anonymous letter accusing Caldwell of acting inappropriately toward women. Also in May 2026, the investigation found that Caldwell violated state ethics rules by using his office to try to promote a state employee with whom he had an undisclosed romantic relationship.

On Sept. 24, 2026, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. That same day, Caldwell's lawyer, Thomas Calcagni, stated that they strongly disputed the findings of the investigation. Also on Sept. 24, 2026, an independent investigation conducted by the law firm Lowenstein Sandler found that Lt. Gov. Caldwell violated state ethics and harassment policies. Calcagni stated, "This unnecessarily protracted and one-sided process lacked the requisite due process that should be afforded every citizen of this state."

What's New

Lowenstein Sandler, the law firm that conducted the investigation into Caldwell, has previously been hired by the State of New Jersey in 2021 to conduct an ethics review of the Department of Environmental Protection. Mikie Sherrill, prior to becoming governor, served as a U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 1st District from 2013 to 2024, where she was known for her advocacy on ethics reform and women's rights. In 2023, the New Jersey State Ethics Commission issued a warning to public officials about the improper use of state resources, citing several cases where officials had been reprimanded for similar violations as those alleged against Caldwell.

Caldwell was previously a member of the New Jersey State Senate, representing the 2nd District from 2008 to 2017, and served as Senate President from 2014 to 2017. According to the New Jersey Division of Elections, Caldwell oversaw the 2024 general election, during which over 5.8 million voters cast ballots, with no major irregularities reported. The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General reported that in 2025, there were 147 formal complaints of workplace harassment filed by state employees, with 28% of those cases resulting in disciplinary action. In 2015, Caldwell faced criticism for using state resources to host a fundraiser at his home, which led to a temporary suspension of his Senate committee assignments.

Why It Matters

The resignation demand targets the second-highest elected official in New Jersey, who also serves as secretary of state and oversees the Division of Elections. The findings include sexual harassment and multiple ethics violations, prompting legislative leaders to outline potential protocols if the lieutenant governor refuses to step down. The case involves specific allegations of misconduct toward staff and the misuse of state resources for personal benefit.

The investigation was triggered by an anonymous letter received in May 2026, leading to a review by an external law firm with prior experience conducting state ethics inquiries. The investigation details a pattern of behavior that persisted despite previous warnings, raising questions about accountability within the executive branch. The outcome will determine whether legislative action is required to address the alleged violations.