Statement from Assemblywoman Katie Brennan on Investigation into Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell

Assemblywoman announces that she will be introducing reforms to protect survivors that she previously recommended and advocated for six years ago

Jersey City, NJ — In response to the internal investigation into New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell for alleged inappropriate behavior towards women and possible ethics violations involving state jobs, Assemblywoman Katie Brennan (D-Jersey City) released the following statement calling for a thorough investigation and announcing that she will be introducing legislation to protect survivors and whistleblowers:

“These are serious allegations that deserve a thorough and independent investigation. Anyone who uses the power of public office to mistreat the people around them has no business holding it.

“Governor Sherrill moved quickly here, and I’m glad she did, but survivors shouldn’t have to hope that the people in charge will do the right thing. Our laws still fail to protect survivors when they come forward, and that has to change.

“I’ll be introducing legislation with my colleagues to strengthen New Jersey’s workplace harassment protections and to give survivors a clear way to report misconduct in government or on a campaign. These reforms almost became law six years ago, and it’s past time we finished the job.”

Brennan first recommended these reforms in 2020 to the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny in New Jersey Politics, the legislative panel led by former Senator Loretta Weinberg to examine how harassment and abuse are handled in New Jersey government and campaigns.

Assemblywoman Brennan’s bills would:

• Set clear standards for how complaints are investigated and resolved by codifying the State Workplace Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy into law.
• Require campaigns to adopt and train staff on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, and create an independent reporting and investigating body.
• Clarify the rules and strengthen protections for survivors disclosing a complaint.