New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigns following sexual harassment investigation

<p>New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell resigned on September 25, 2026, after an independent investigation substantiated claims of sexual harassment and ethics violations against him, as announced by Governor Mikie Sherrill.</p><p>Sherrill stated during a news conference in Trenton, "He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted." She had given Caldwell a deadline to resign after the investigation concluded that he "failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office" and exhibited a pattern of behavior that did not align with her administration’s standards.</p><p>The investigation report indicated that Caldwell made a comment to a female staffer, stating, "you young women are looking for young sperm," after she mentioned that her younger friend was not interested in a romantic relationship with him. Investigators determined that this remark constituted sexual harassment and found Caldwell’s denial of making it to be not credible.</p><p>Caldwell had previously denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as false and misleading, and expressed confidence that the facts would exonerate him.</p>