TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign immediately Sunday amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and possible ethics violations.
The call comes after the New Jersey Globe reported Friday that Caldwell is the subject of an internal investigation by Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration. The Globe reported that the investigation includes allegations involving the purported offer of state jobs. Few details about the specific allegations have been made public.
Former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino has been brought in by the Sherrill administration to conduct the investigation, according to the report. Porrino and Shantae Gray, a former assistant U.S. attorney and one of his law partners, have been interviewing complainants and potential witnesses. Caldwell, 66, is cooperating with the investigation, the Globe reported.
Hanlon said Sunday that reports indicating the investigation began in late spring raised questions about when the Sherrill administration became aware of the matter.
“On Friday after reviewing the bombshell report by David Wildstein in the Globe, we laid out a series of questions that the public needed answers to, including ‘when did Governor Sherrill know?’” said Chairwoman Hanlon. “We now have the answer as reported in BINJE: months ago.”
Hanlon criticized the administration for not publicly disclosing the investigation while Caldwell continued serving as lieutenant governor, secretary of state and acting governor.
“According to reports, an outside investigation led by a former Attorney General began in the late spring and the Lieutenant Governor sat with investigators two months ago. And in all that time, the Sherrill Administration told the people of New Jersey nothing — while Dale Caldwell continued to serve as Lieutenant Governor, as Secretary of State, and repeatedly as Acting Governor of this state while Governor Sherrill was off campaigning for congressional candidates in other states.
“Let that sink in. New Jersey had an Acting Governor under investigation for inappropriate conduct toward women and potential ethics violations, and the administration that promised to be the most transparent in history kept it quiet for months,” continued Hanlon. “The fact that this investigation has been going on for months clearly indicates that these are very serious allegations.”
Sherrill’s office has not publicly confirmed the investigation.
“The governor would take any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously and expects our public officials to hold themselves to the highest standards,” said Sean Higgins, a spokesman for Sherrill. “We cannot confirm or deny potential personnel matters.”
Hanlon also criticized the administration’s handling of the investigation.
“Moreover, Governor Sherrill, the first woman Democratic Governor in New Jersey, allowed the potential behavior to continue for months while shrouding the investigation in secrecy, putting more women potentially at risk. This could be the worst handling of a crisis in modern history. Caldwell should have been placed on leave during the investigation. As a mother of three daughters, I consider this an outrage!”
“The Administration’s statement in response to the reporting is equally disturbing, passing the situation off as a ‘personnel’ matter in an effort to shield the information from the public. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor should not be considered ‘personnel’ – they are the highest level elected officials in the state and must be held to the highest standard of accountability and transparency.”
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco, R-Morris and Passaic, previously called for Caldwell to temporarily step aside from his duties while the allegations are investigated.
“The reported allegations against Lt. Gov. Caldwell are deeply concerning and disappointing. Our elected officials must hold themselves to the highest possible standards of conduct, character, and integrity. The public deserves transparency and timely information about matters of this magnitude. There are legitimate questions about why this information was not disclosed sooner and why we are just learning about this late on Friday heading into a holiday weekend. Considering the complex duties of his position, Lt. Gov. Caldwell should temporarily step down from his duties as Lieutenant Governor. The offices of Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State are far too important to be consumed by this level of distraction while these serious allegations are being investigated.”
Hanlon called for Caldwell to resign from both of his positions.
“Caldwell is not only the Lieutenant Governor but is also our Secretary of State — the official charged with overseeing New Jersey’s elections. That office cannot function under these circumstances. For the good of the state, and out of respect for the women whose complaints prompted this investigation, Dale Caldwell must resign as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State immediately.”
The allegations remain under investigation, and no findings of wrongdoing have been announced.
Caldwell previously served as president of Centenary University in Hackettstown, a position he assumed on July 1, 2023. A longtime educator, community leader and pastor, Caldwell also previously served as deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, executive director of the Newark Alliance, president of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey and a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting.
A Princeton University graduate, Caldwell earned advanced degrees from the Wharton School and Seton Hall University. He served on the New Brunswick Board of Education for 26 years and has also served as pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield. Caldwell and Sherrill took office in January after winning the 2025 gubernatorial election.
