Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigns after report cites ethics violations

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell has resigned, less than 24 hours after the Sherrill administration released a report alleging multiple ethical lapses on Caldwell’s behalf.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Caldwell submitted his resignation Friday afternoon and she accepted. Both are Democrats.

“I appreciate his service, both on the campaign and in the first months of this administration, particularly in supporting our business agenda. Lt. Gov. Caldwell has also been deeply committed to addressing the long-standing challenges facing Black communities across our state,” Sherrill told reporters in Trenton Friday.

Caldwell, who was elected along with Sherrill in November and took office in January, made crass remarks to women subordinates and repeatedly attempted to get a promotion for a state worker he was dating, the report released Thursday says.

He has denied wrongdoing.

Shirley Emehelu, the state comptroller, will replace Caldwell as secretary of state.