New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill has demanded that her own handpicked lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, step down by Friday after an independent probe upheld allegations of sexual harassment and multiple ethics violations.
According to Fox News, the investigation determined that Caldwell sexually harassed a female staffer when he allegedly remarked that "you young women are looking for young sperm" after she told him her younger friend was not interested in a romantic relationship with him. Investigators concluded the remark was sexually charged and inappropriate for the workplace, and they further found that Caldwells denial of having made the comment was not credible.
The staffer reported that, following the incident, she tried to distance herself from Caldwell in the office and avoided traveling with him whenever possible. Sherrill, facing mounting pressure to address misconduct within her own administration, responded forcefully once the findings became public.
"Im calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so," Sherrill said Thursday, describing the substantiated sexual harassment finding as "extremely troubling." The report also upheld two ethics violations, determining that Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without prior ethics approval or payment and repeatedly tried to secure a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship.
Investigators noted that Caldwell continued to bring unpaid guests to official events despite repeated training and warnings, including on May 23, just one day after he was formally notified of the investigation. Four days after receiving that notice, he used his state email account to recommend his romantic partner for a leadership role in another executive branch department, referring to her as "my friend" while forwarding her rsum and letter of interest.
The report states that Caldwell failed to disclose the romantic relationship while advocating for her advancement, raising further concerns about abuse of office and favoritism. In a May response to investigators, Caldwell denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations false and misleading and insisting he believed the facts would ultimately exonerate him.
He also denied hitting on or asking women out while conducting official business, attempting to frame his conduct as professional despite the documented complaints. Fox News Digital reached out to Caldwell for comment on both the report and Sherrills demand for his resignation.
Sherrill argued that the findings reveal "a pattern of behavior" that continued even after formal warnings and ethics training. "The lieutenant governors resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents," the Democrat said, seeking to distance herself politically from the scandal.
In a move that underscored the partisan instincts of todays Democratic leadership, Sherrill also used the moment to attack President Donald Trump, claiming the president "continues to undermine confidence in public service at the federal level" and vowing she would not accept "a culture that sweeps misconduct under the rug" in New Jersey. The investigation itself began after the states chief ethics officer received an anonymous complaint in May alleging inappropriate behavior toward women and ethics violations, and Caldwell was formally notified of the probe on May 22, raising questions about why such conduct was tolerated until public exposure forced the governors hand.
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