New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned on Friday after an independent investigation concluded that he had violated state ethics rules and engaged in harassing behavior toward a female staffer, according to the Washington Post, Associated Press, NBC News, The Guardian, The New York Times, Politico, The Hill and multiple right-leaning outlets including The Daily Wire and the Washington Times.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced the resignation during a Friday press conference, saying Caldwell submitted his resignation to her that afternoon and that she accepted it, according to The Guardian and The Hill.
Politico reported that Caldwell resigned under pressure from Sherrill and fellow Democrats. TheBlaze reported that Sherrill had called for his resignation, and quoted her saying there had been a culture in Trenton to "sweep this under the rug" regarding such allegations, though The Blaze did not specify when she made the remark.
Caldwell disputed the findings. According to Fox News, he called the ethics probe "specious" and "poorly done," and said he resigned only to avoid distracting from Sherrill's administration.
The Daily Wire noted that Caldwell had been in office for only eight months at the time of his resignation, and described the episode as an early setback for Sherrill's administration.
How each side covered it
Left
- Outlets reported Caldwell resigned Friday after a report found he violated ethics rules and sexually harassed a female staffer.
- Coverage emphasized Gov. Mikie Sherrill's announcement that Caldwell had submitted his resignation, which she accepted.
- Several reports framed the resignation as occurring under pressure from Sherrill and fellow Democrats.
- Stories noted Caldwell had faced a formal ethics inquiry documenting harassment and misconduct allegations.
“New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment accusation” — The Guardian
Center
- The Hill reported Caldwell resigned after Sherrill publicly called him out over the ethics report's findings.
- Coverage quoted Sherrill confirming at a press conference that she accepted his resignation submitted that afternoon.
“New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after being called out by Sherrill over ethics report” — The Hill
Right
- Right-leaning outlets highlighted Caldwell's own defense, quoting him calling the ethics probe 'specious' and 'poorly done.'
- Some outlets emphasized the irony of Sherrill previously praising Caldwell as a 'voice for the voiceless' before calling for his resignation.
- Reports detailed specific findings, including a crude remark made to a female staffer and multiple ethics violations.
- Coverage noted the political impact, describing the resignation as an early setback for Sherrill's new administration after only eight months in office.
“Top Democrat Resigns After Investigators Find He Made Crude Remark To Female Staffer” — The Daily Wire
Questions readers ask
Why did New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resign?
Dale Caldwell resigned after an independent investigation found he had violated state ethics rules and sexually harassed a female staffer, according to multiple outlets across the political spectrum.
Who announced Caldwell's resignation?
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced the resignation during a Friday press conference, saying Caldwell submitted it to her that afternoon and that she accepted it.
Did Caldwell dispute the allegations?
Yes. According to Fox News, Caldwell called the ethics probe "specious" and "poorly done" and said he resigned only to avoid distracting from Sherrill's administration.
How long had Caldwell served as lieutenant governor?
According to The Daily Wire, Caldwell had been in office for about eight months before resigning.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the investigation's findings and Sherrill's announcement, while right-leaning outlets emphasized the severity of the allegations, Caldwell's political affiliation and, in some cases, his on-camera denial of wrongdoing.
Sources · 23 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningNew Jersey’s lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment and ethics complaints
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningNew Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after release of damaging ethics report
- PBS NewsHourLeft-leaningNew Jersey’s lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment and ethics complaints
- PoliticoLeft-leaningNew Jersey’s lieutenant governor resigns under pressure from Sherrill, fellow Democrats
- The GuardianLeft-leaningNew Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after sexual harassment accusation
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningEmbattled New Jersey Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell Resigns After Ethics Inquiry
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningNew Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after report finds harassment, ethics violations
- ReutersCenterNew Jersey's lieutenant governor resigns amid sexual harassment findings
- The HillCenterNew Jersey governor calls on lieutenant governor to resign over ethics report
- UPICenterN.J. Gov. Sherrill announces lt. gov.'s resignation in wake of harassment report
- Fox NewsRight-leaningNew Jersey Lt Gov Dale Caldwell resigns after sexual harassment investigation
- Hot AirRight-leaningMikie Sherrill Finds One Jersey Man She Wanted Gone - Her Lt Gov Resigns
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningSherrill Calls for Caldwell Resignation After Harassment Findings
- Just the NewsRight-leaningNJ Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell steps down amid allegations of misconduct
- NewsmaxRight-leaningN.J. Gov. Sherrill Calls on Lt. Gov. Caldwell to Resign
- PJ MediaRight-leaningNew Jersey Democrat Lieutenant Governor Resigns Amid Scandal
- The Daily WireRight-leaningTop Democrat’s ‘Young Sperm’ Comment Sparks A Whole New Problem
- The Epoch TimesRight-leaningNew Jersey Lieutenant Governor Resigns After Ethics Probe
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningNew Jersey Lt. Gov. Caldwell resigns after ethics inquiry
- The Western JournalRight-leaningDem Gov. of NJ Tells Her Hand-Picked Lt. Gov. to Get Out as Investigation Points to Sordid Sexual Past
- TheBlazeRight-leaningDemocrat lieutenant governor RESIGNS after heinous sex accusations surface
- TownhallRight-leaningNew Jersey's Lt. Gov Was Given a Timeline to Resign by Mikie Sherrill. Here's Why.
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningNew Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell steps down after ethics investigation