Sherrill: ‘Any credible report’ of misconduct must be fully examined

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Tuesday that any credible report of inappropriate behavior or misconduct involving members of her administration must be “fully examined and addressed,” but did not directly address an internal investigation into her lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell.

“Public service is an honor,” Sherrill said in a statement. “And I have spent a lifetime of service in the Navy, as a prosecutor, in Congress, and now as Governor.”

“I demand that everyone in my administration hold themselves to the highest standards and put their obligations to public service first,” she said.

The governor did not name Caldwell or provide details about the allegations under investigation.  Her statement came after the New Jersey Globe reported that Caldwell is the subject of an internal inquiry into alleged inappropriate behavior involving women and possible ethics violations, including the purported offer of state jobs, reimbursements and trips.

Former Attorney General Christopher Porrino and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae Gray of Lowenstein, a politically influential North Jersey law firm, have been retained to conduct the investigation.  They have interviewed complainants, including state employees, and potential witnesses. Caldwell, who also serves as secretary of state, has been cooperating with the probe.

“If the evidence warrants, I will take appropriate action quickly,” Sherrill said.

At the same time, Sherrill emphasized that her administration must protect the rights and safety of everyone involved.

“Anyone must know that they can come forward with a complaint and they will be safe from retaliation,” she said. “The subject of a complaint must also know and be confident that their rights will be protected as well and they will receive a fair and thorough review.”

Issues related to Caldwell first emerged at least five months ago, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed; a BINJE report that Porrino was retained several months ago was also independently confirmed by the New Jersey Globe.

Caldwell, 66, was a relatively obscure Methodist minister and university president when Sherrill selected him as her running mate last year.  He had served for 26 years on the New Brunswick Board of Education.

The Sherrill-Caldwell ticket won the 2025 gubernatorial election by 14 points and took office on Jan. 20.  Caldwell quickly became a close ally of the governor and played a prominent role on her transition team.

As secretary of state, Caldwell oversees the Division of Elections.  He has also been involved in the administration’s response to a voter-registration controversy stemming from a Motor Vehicle Commission software glitch that transmitted records for approximately 6,600 noncitizens to the state voter-registration system.  The issue occurred before Sherrill and Caldwell took office.

“Let me be clear,” Sherrill said. “I do not back down from tough fights or tough conversations, and I will always put the interests of New Jerseyans first.”