New Jersey Lt. Gov. Caldwell Resigns After Ethics Probe Confirms Harassment

Key points

• Caldwell submitted his resignation on Friday after Sherrill gave him until that day to step down following the release of the investigation report on Thursday.
• The investigation, led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino and the Lowenstein law firm, found Caldwell made a sexually charged remark to a staffer, which investigators deemed credible despite his denial.
• The report also confirmed Caldwell used his office to advocate for a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship, failing to disclose the relationship, and brought personal guests to ticketed events without payment.
• Sherrill named Shirley Emehelu, the acting state comptroller, as acting Secretary of State to oversee the November general election, as Caldwell held both the lieutenant governor and secretary of state posts.
• Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the findings, calling the investigation 'one-sided' and lacking due process, but Caldwell stated he resigned to prevent the matter from distracting from the administration's work.

Background

Caldwell, a former university president and Methodist minister, was elected lieutenant governor in 2025 alongside Sherrill, winning by 14 points. He became the first man to serve as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor, a position created in 2009. The office had previously been vacant when Sheila Oliver died in 2023. Caldwell’s resignation is the first in the history of the office. The investigation began in May 2026 after an anonymous complaint, but its existence was not publicly reported until September 4, leading to a three-week period of uncertainty. Sherrill had canceled out-of-state travel to prevent Caldwell from assuming acting governor duties during the probe.

How outlets are covering it

Governor Sherrill characterized Caldwell’s conduct as a 'pattern of behavior' that persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings, calling the sexual harassment finding 'extremely troubling.' She emphasized the need for accountability and transparency. In contrast, Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, sharply disputed the findings, arguing the investigation was 'unnecessarily protracted and one-sided' and lacked due process, claiming Caldwell was not given a meaningful opportunity to address anonymous allegations. U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim joined Sherrill in calling for Caldwell’s resignation, stating his conduct was 'totally unacceptable.' State Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco called the findings 'deeply disappointing' and suggested the Legislature should follow protocols to remove Caldwell if he had not resigned. Some Democratic insiders noted that while the findings were damaging, they were not as severe as feared, but acknowledged Caldwell had little political leverage to resist the governor's pressure.

Why it matters

Caldwell’s resignation resolves a potential constitutional crisis over the removal of an independently elected lieutenant governor, a process that would have required impeachment or complex legislative action. His departure also ensures stability in the office of Secretary of State, a critical role for overseeing the November 2026 midterm elections. The case highlights the challenges of holding high-ranking officials accountable in New Jersey, where the lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor. It also underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing workplace harassment and ethics violations, as Sherrill stated that New Jerseyans deserve fairness and accountability.

What to watch

Sherrill has 45 days from the effective date of Caldwell’s resignation to appoint a new lieutenant governor, a decision that does not require Senate confirmation. She may appoint separate individuals to the lieutenant governor and secretary of state posts, or assign the new lieutenant governor to another cabinet-level department. A new acting comptroller will also be announced shortly. Until a new lieutenant governor is installed, Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as acting governor when Sherrill is unable to perform her duties, followed by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin in the line of succession.