Who Is New Jersey’s Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell? A Deep Dive Amid Investigation

New Jersey’s second‑in‑command, Dale Caldwell, has been thrust into the spotlight for reasons he probably never imagined when he first stepped onto the campaign trail last year. Less than a year into his stint as lieutenant governor – and also serving as the state’s secretary of state – he’s now the subject of an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct toward women.

The probe, which was quietly launched months ago, is being run by an outside law firm hired by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino is overseeing the effort, interviewing witnesses and complainants while also looking into possible ethics violations, such as the alleged offering of state jobs in exchange for favors.

Governor Sherrill, who chose Caldwell as her running mate in the July 2025 Democratic primary, has been tight‑lipped until after Labor Day. In a statement she said, “I take my responsibility to treat any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously… Anyone must know they can come forward without fear of retaliation.” She didn’t name Caldwell, but the subtext was unmistakable.

The Republican caucus in Trenton wasted no time. NJ GOP Chairwoman Christine Hanlon called for Caldwell’s immediate resignation, arguing that the lieutenant governor’s dual role as secretary of state – the official who oversees elections – makes the situation untenable.

So, who is Dale Caldwell beyond the headlines? He’s a 66‑year‑old New Brunswick native with a résumé that reads like a tour of New Jersey’s educational and civic institutions. From 2023 to 2025, he was the first Black president of Centenary University, a modest private college in Hackettstown. Before that, he spent 26 years on the New Brunswick school board, six of those as its president, and held a stint as deputy commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs under Gov. Jim McGreevey.

His career isn’t limited to academia. Caldwell ran charter schools in Asbury Park and Trenton, chaired the New Brunswick Housing Authority, and directed the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also led the Educational Services Commission, the state’s largest public school district for students with disabilities.

Outside the office, Caldwell is a longtime Methodist pastor at Covenant Methodist Church in Plainfield and a devoted tennis enthusiast. He spent a decade as the first Black president of the United States Tennis Association’s Eastern Section and was later inducted into its hall of fame.

Education-wise, he’s a Princeton graduate, holds an MBA from the Wharton School, and earned a doctorate in education administration from Seton Hall. His family legacy is steeped in civil‑rights activism – his father, the late Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s.

In his current capacities, Caldwell steps in as acting governor whenever Gov. Sherrill is out of state or incapacitated. He’s already done so several times, most recently in late August, delivering remarks at a United Airlines event in Newark, a U.S. Open gathering in Paterson, and a state medal ceremony in Paramus.

While the investigation’s scope remains unclear, the political fallout is already palpable. Democrats argue that due process is essential, while Republicans see an opportunity to pressure the governor’s office. For now, the lieutenant governor remains in his posts, awaiting the outcome of the probe – a waiting game that will likely shape New Jersey politics for months to come.