Gov. Mikie Sherrill fielded questions from journalists in Woodbridge on Wednesday about a reported misconduct investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell. Sherrill pledged that complaints were taken seriously, but refused to confirm the investigation and did not say Caldwell’s name. Photo credit: Ryan Conway/NJ State House News Service

By Ryan Conway
NJ State House News Service

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. – Gov. Mikie Sherrill spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since reports surfaced that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell was being investigated for alleged inappropriate behavior with women, all while declining to mention Caldwell by name.

The New Jersey Globe first reported on September 4 that Sherrill ordered an investigation into alleged misconduct by Caldwell with women, as well as possible ethics violations. The specific allegations have not been made public, and reports indicate former N.J. Attorney General Chris Porrino is leading the investigation.

Fielding media questions Wednesday outside of Pino’s Pizza & Restaurant in Woodbridge about the reports, Sherrill did not mention Caldwell’s name or that an investigation was ongoing. Instead, she pledged to take any potential grievances seriously.

“I’m not going to confirm or deny whether there’s an ongoing investigation, but what I can commit to people is that any complaints are taken very seriously,” Sherrill said.

Sherrill released a written statement Tuesday, pledging to take “responsibility to treat any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously,” also without calling out Caldwell by name or explicitly acknowledging the ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct and making unethical state job offers.

New Jersey business website BINJE reported Wednesday that it obtained a letter Caldwell sent on May 26 to state Chief Ethics Officer Christina Fullam, where Caldwell wrote that he had “never asked anyone out on a date, ‘hit on,’ or pursued anyone romantically” while serving in his statewide elected role. Sherrill selected the former Centenary University president as her running mate last year.

Caldwell also has the responsibilities of Secretary of State, which means he is in charge of November’s pivotal federal elections. While again refusing to mention Caldwell by name, Sherrill assured New Jersey residents that voting will go smoothly, despite threats the state has received from President Donald Trump.

“As you know, the President has attempted to stop all mail-in voting as he continues to try to take control of every voter roll in the country,” Sherrill said. “The state and the counties are also in close contact to make sure that whatever ruling we see is a final ruling from the courts. We will be able to get everyone a ballot, and they [N.J. voters] will be able to get their ballot.”