Sherrill calls on Caldwell to resign after the investigation's findings
Mikie SherrillGovernor of New Jersey, in an official statement and X post
In a statement released with the investigation report on September 24, 2026, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the investigation found that Caldwell "engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy," called the substantiated sexual harassment finding "extremely troubling," said the investigation was "thorough and impartial," and said his resignation is "necessary."
Responding to
Lt. Gov. Caldwell's resignation is "necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents" because the investigation substantiated serious, repeated violations of state policy.
“The investigation found that the Lieutenant Governor engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office. I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so. … These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration. The ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings. The substantiated finding of sexual harassment is extremely troubling. … As a former federal prosecutor, I’m committed to ensuring everyone is treated fairly. This investigation was thorough and impartial. It was initiated by the Chief Ethics Officer and conducted by a respected former state Attorney General. … The Lieutenant Governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents.”
Official statement
Original post
Where this statement fits
Should Dale Caldwell resign as New Jersey's lieutenant governor after the investigation's findings?
On September 24, 2026, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report, with exhibits, by the law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP and called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by the next day. The firm, engaged by the Governor's Chief Ethics Officer after an anonymous complaint dated May 6, found that Caldwell made a comment to a female staffer that constituted sexual harassment under the state workplace policy, and that he violated state ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without payment and by seeking a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship. Caldwell, through his lawyer Thomas Calcagni, disputes all three findings, denies making the comment, and says the process was one-sided and lacked due process; in a May 28 letter he called the complaint's accusations false. Republican leaders called for him to resign or step down before the report was released. The Associated Press reports that the Governor cannot fire a lieutenant governor and that the Legislature can impeach and remove one. The statement issued for Caldwell on September 24 did not say whether he would resign. On September 25, Sherrill announced that Caldwell had resigned, The Philadelphia Inquirer and ABC News report. In a statement on his resignation, Caldwell said it should not be read as an admission of wrongdoing and that he strongly disputes the report; his lawyer said counsel would continue to challenge it.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
The Governor's official press release announcing the conclusion of the independent investigation, linking the report, and calling for the Lieutenant Governor's resignation by the next day.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Original post
About this source
The full text of the Governor's statement posted on her official, government-verified X account shortly after the report was released.
Before the quotation
Gov. Sherrill's office published the 61-page Lowenstein Sandler report, which is dated September 23, together with this statement. On September 8 she had said that any credible report must be fully examined and that she would take appropriate action quickly if the evidence warranted.
After the quotation
The statement links the full report, says the investigation protected everyone's privacy, and gives Caldwell until the next day, September 25, to resign.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the report's findings and the call for Caldwell's resignation, Sherrill adopts the findings, says they reflect a pattern of behavior, and says his resignation is "necessary." She expressly criticizes the conduct and demands his departure, so condemns applies rather than a challenge to how the conduct is characterized.
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- People and groups discussed
- Dale Caldwell
More from this case
Read the full caseSpadea questions Caldwell's denial after his resignation
“That's odd and makes me question whether the conclusions of the investigation were more accurate than the former lieutenant governor is saying.”Read statement
The Inquirer board says the reported conduct warranted Caldwell's departure
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“But Caldwell’s alleged behavior would and should constitute a firing offense in any number of more obscure private-sector jobs.”Read statement
Caldwell calls the investigation's report "specious" and says he is not resigning because of it
“The report, I think, was just specious. There are all sorts of wrong things and mistakes. I'm not resigning because of that ridiculous report. I'm resigning because I don't want to be a distraction to the Mikie Sherrill administration.”Read statement
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- Sherrill calls on Caldwell to resign after the investigation's findings
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The Dispute Index. "Sherrill calls on Caldwell to resign after the investigation's findings". First published: 2026-09-25. Last updated: 2026-09-25. https://disputeindex.com/events/2397-in-a-statement-released-with-the-investigation-report