COLTS NECK, NJ - NJGOP Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon today responded to Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell’s resignation, saying his departure does not resolve serious questions surrounding Governor Mikie Sherrill’s handling of the controversy.

“Make no mistake: this is a colossal failure of the Sherrill administration,” said Chairwoman Hanlon. “Dale Caldwell is gone, but the questions aren’t. Governor Sherrill chose him, her campaign received concerns about him before Election Day, and her own administration acknowledges that his ethical lapses continued despite multiple warnings and trainings. That is not zero tolerance.”

During her press conference on the matter, Sherrill’s statement acknowledged that Caldwell’s violations persisted despite “multiple warnings and trainings.” The investigative report describes at least five trainings, warnings or counseling interventions before the formal investigation, including direct warnings concerning his conduct toward women.

“Then, while Caldwell was under investigation, Governor Sherrill repeatedly left New Jersey and Caldwell served as Acting Governor 18 times,” Hanlon said. “New Jerseyans deserve to know why someone facing an investigation this serious was repeatedly entrusted with the powers of the Governor.”

“The questions go back even further. During the campaign, a Centenary University employee attempted to raise concerns about Caldwell with a Sherrill campaign staffer. The campaign says it engaged counsel to review the matter. New Jerseyans deserve to know exactly what the campaign learned, who knew it, and how Caldwell was ultimately vetted and selected for one of the highest offices in our state.”

“Caldwell’s resignation is not accountability for everything that happened before it,” Hanlon concluded. “There are many more questions that will need to be answered. This was a major failure of the Sherrill administration. Caldwell is gone. The questions aren’t.”