By Matthew Hersh

The resignation of New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell following an independent investigation into his conduct has drawn reaction in Princeton, where Caldwell made several public appearances during his brief tenure, including speaking at a May event at Morven Museum & Garden that was later referenced in the investigation.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced on Friday, September 25, that she had accepted Caldwell’s resignation, one day after calling for him to step down following the release of the investigation. The report found what Sherrill described as “serious, repeated violations of state policy,” including ethics violations and a substantiated finding of sexual harassment.

In an op-ed published after his resignation, Caldwell rejected the investigation’s conclusions, said he stepped down to avoid becoming a distraction to the Sherrill administration, and argued that his eight-month record in office should be considered separately from the controversy.

Princeton Council President Michelle Pirone Lambros said she supported Sherrill’s decision while expressing disappointment over Caldwell’s departure.

“I agree that the governor must uphold the very high standards of integrity that will define her administration, and I understand her decision,” Lambros said. “While I am very disappointed, I hope the next lieutenant governor and secretary of state will continue the strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and support for our small business community that we saw under Dr. Caldwell.”

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda declined to comment.

Caldwell, a 1982 Princeton University graduate, had maintained ties to Princeton and made several appearances in town since taking office in January. In February he returned to Nassau Hall for a ceremonial session of the New Jersey Legislature marking the Legislature’s 250th anniversary. He also appeared in Princeton in his role as secretary of state, which the lieutenant governor holds concurrently.

One of those appearances came May 2 at Morven Museum & Garden’s Exhibition Premiere and Founding Feast, a special version of the museum’s annual spring fundraiser held in connection with the opening of “Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey.” The exhibition explores the lives of Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton, and John Witherspoon, the five New Jersey delegates sent to Philadelphia in 1776 with instructions to vote for independence. It also examines the contradictions between the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the enslavement practiced by several of its signers.

Caldwell spoke at the May event about the exhibition and more broadly Morven’s programming surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States, according to those in attendance at the event. Former Gov. Thomas Kean was also a special guest.

The May 2 gathering subsequently appeared in the independent investigation of Caldwell, though the report does not allege wrongdoing by Morven.

Investigators examined Caldwell’s practice of bringing personal guests to ticketed events that he attended in his official capacity. According to the report, Caldwell brought a guest to the Morven event without paying the $175 admission in advance. The report states that Caldwell later reimbursed the state for the admission after he had been notified of the investigation. Morven had indicated that payment for the guest was not required, according to the report.

The investigation began with a complaint dated May 6 and received by the governor’s chief ethics officer May 14. Caldwell was notified May 22 that the matter had been assigned for investigation to Lowenstein Sandler LLP. The investigation was conducted under the direction of former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino.

When she announced Caldwell’s resignation, Sherrill acknowledged his work during the administration’s first months, particularly his support for its business agenda and his focus on challenges facing Black communities across New Jersey.

“Public service — holding the public trust — is a privilege, not a right,” Sherrill said Friday. She said she would move “swiftly and thoughtfully” to select a new lieutenant governor and appointed Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu to serve as acting secretary of state in the interim.