Assemblywoman Brennan calls for a thorough, independent investigation of the Caldwell allegations
Katie BrennanDemocratic Assemblywoman (D-32), in a press statement
In a statement on September 8, 2026, before the specific allegations were made public, Democratic Assemblywoman Katie Brennan said the reported allegations "deserve a thorough and independent investigation" and that anyone who uses the power of public office to mistreat others "has no business holding it." The statement does not say whether Caldwell should resign.
“These are serious allegations that deserve a thorough and independent investigation. Anyone who uses the power of public office to mistreat the people around them has no business holding it.”
Official statement
Reporting

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
Press statement from a Democratic member of the General Assembly responding to the reported internal investigation and announcing legislation on workplace harassment protections.
Reporting
About this source
New Jersey Globe's report of Assemblywoman Brennan's statement.
Before the quotation
The Governor had issued her first, unnamed statement the same day. Brennan's statement announced that she would introduce legislation to strengthen workplace harassment protections and give survivors a clear way to report misconduct in government or on a campaign.
After the quotation
The statement also says Gov. Sherrill moved quickly and that Brennan was glad she did.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to whether Caldwell should resign after the findings, Brennan states a general principle that applies only if the allegations are borne out and calls for an investigation first. Because her position depends on that unresolved condition, mixed or conditional fits better than condemns.
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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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The Dispute Index. "Assemblywoman Brennan calls for a thorough, independent investigation of the Caldwell allegations". First published: 2026-09-25. Last updated: 2026-09-25. https://disputeindex.com/events/2403-in-a-statement-on-september-8-2026-before