On September 25, 2026, Stevens class of 2030 convocation speaker and New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor, Dale Caldwell, resigned after a combination of ethics violations, sexual harassment claims, and accusations involving staffers. Soon after, there was public demand, led by Governor Mikie Sherrill, to make him step down from office just eight months into his term.
To understand the situation, you have to look at the beginning of the issue. On May 14, 2026, an anonymous tip to the Office of the Governor’s Chief Ethics Officer on Caldwell stated that the Lieutenant Governor violated New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace (the Workplace Policy) and the Code of Conduct for the Governor. Caldwell received formal notification of the independent investigation on May 22, 2026.
On September 23, 2026, Lowenstein Sandler released the independent report that Caldwell did violate the Workplace Policy by making sexually harassing advances to a female staffer and her friend. It also found that Caldwell violated New Jersey Ethics Rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events and attempting to secure a promotion for a New Jersey state employee, with whom he had a romantic relationship.
This crisis has come at an unfavorable time for the Sherrill administration. New Jersey Republicans criticized and raised questions about the methods that Sherrill chose to nominate Caldwell as her running mate, as well as allowing him to serve as acting governor while she was out of state. However, her response to the scandal has received high praise from the majority of New Jersey residents. The Rutgers-Eagleton poll highlighted her approval rating at 44-34, and 70% of voters approved of how she responded to the scandal.
It is unclear at this time who will succeed Caldwell. Governor Sherrill has 31 days left to nominate a new lieutenant governor without confirmation by the New Jersey Assembly. Names. Possible replacements include Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema from Newark, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson from Trenton, and Randal Pinkett, among others. Although the appointment of a new lieutenant governor is not expected until later October, given the upcoming midterm elections, Shirley U. Emehelu has been appointed as Acting Secretary of State of New Jersey to oversee New Jersey elections.
