Spadea argues Caldwell should fight the resignation demand

Bill SpadeaRadio host writing an opinion column for New Jersey 101.5

Defended or excused

Spadea argues that the allegations described in the investigation do not justify forcing Caldwell from office. He calls for due process and says Caldwell should remain.

“Caldwell is right to fight and stay in office.”

Analysis

Open source (opens in a new tab)Spadea argues Caldwell should remain in officeFinal assessment and preceding discussion of all three investigative findings

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Caldwell resigned but says he will keep disputing the report

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Editorial composite of Dale Caldwell beside the cover of the September 23, 2026, investigation report concerning him.
Credit: Office of the Governor-Elect / Tim Larsen; Lowenstein Sandler LLP; composite by The Dispute Index

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.

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Source and context

Analysis

Spadea argues Caldwell should remain in office (opens in a new tab)Final assessment and preceding discussion of all three investigative findings

About this source

Spadea disputes whether the reported conduct warrants resignation. His column precedes Caldwell's departure that day.

Archived copy (opens in a new tab)

Before the quotation

Spadea reviews the allegations about comments to staff, promotion of Caldwell's girlfriend and free tickets. He questions whether these warrant resignation.

After the quotation

He argues that political calls for resignation can substitute for a fair opportunity to contest accusations.

How this statement is classified

Defended or excused

The label describes this statement's response within the context above.

Why this label?

The reference is the conduct alleged in the investigation and the resulting resignation demand. Spadea expressly defends Caldwell's continued service.

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Spadea argues Caldwell should fight the resignation demand
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The Dispute Index. "Spadea argues Caldwell should fight the resignation demand". First published: 2026-11-01. Last updated: 2026-11-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/7653-spadea-argues-that-the-allegations-described-in-the