Full Breakdown
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell Under Internal Investigation
9/6/2026, 12:34:02 AM
Core Event: Probe into Alleged Misconduct and Ethics Concerns
New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and secretary of state, Dale G. Caldwell, is the subject of an internal investigation initiated by Governor Mikie Sherrill’s administration. The inquiry, launched in August 2026, examines allegations that Caldwell engaged in inappropriate behavior toward women and may have offered state jobs in violation of ethics rules. Former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino is leading the investigation, assisted by law partner Shantae Gray, a former assistant U.S. attorney. The investigation’s scope includes interviews with complainants and potential witnesses.
Background & Context
Caldwell, a Methodist pastor and longtime educator, was selected as Sherrill’s running mate in July 2025 and elected as lieutenant governor in the 2025 gubernatorial race. He previously served as president of Centenary University—a role he assumed on July 1, 2023—and held senior positions in New Jersey’s education and community-affairs agencies. As secretary of state, Caldwell oversees the state’s elections and assumes the governor’s duties when the governor is out of state; he acted as governor for three days in early September 2026 while Sherrill was traveling.
Key Figures
- Dale G. Caldwell – Lieutenant governor, secretary of state, former university president and pastor.
- Mikie Sherrill – Governor of New Jersey; her office commissioned the investigation.
- Christopher Porrino – Former New Jersey attorney general, now leading the probe.
- Sean Higgins – Spokesperson for Governor Sherrill.
- Anthony M. Bucco – Republican leader of the New Jersey Senate, calling for Caldwell’s temporary removal.
Timeline
- July 2025 – Sherrill selects Caldwell as running mate; the ticket wins the election by a 14-point margin.
- January 2026 – Caldwell and Sherrill are sworn in; Caldwell begins duties as lieutenant governor and secretary of state.
- August 2026 – Governor’s office hires former AG Christopher Porrino to investigate allegations reported by the New Jersey Globe.
- Early September 2026 – The Globe publishes the investigation’s existence; Republican leaders publicly demand Caldwell step aside; Caldwell serves briefly as acting governor while Sherrill is out of state.
Official Statements & Responses
The office declined to comment on specific allegations. Caldwell has not provided a public comment to the press.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m proud to select Dale Caldwell as my Lieutenant Governor running mate because we share a commitment to public service and challenging the status quo,” — Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill, spokesman
- “Mikie Sherrill and I represent a different kind of leadership that sees possibilities, not a blind commitment to doing things the way they’ve always been done,” — Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, spokeswoman
- “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,” — Anthony Bucco
What’s Next
The investigation remains ongoing, with Porrino’s team continuing interviews. No findings or disciplinary actions have been announced, and the timeline for a final report has not been disclosed.
