New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way is facing allegations of misconduct, prompting an investigation that is impacting Governor Mikie Sherrill's political activities. Republicans are calling for legislative hearings, while allies of Way are defending him and questioning the investigation's fairness. The controversy comes as New Jerseyans begin casting mail-in ballots for the midterms, with Way overseeing the Division of Elections.
The ongoing investigation into Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way's conduct creates political headwinds for Governor Mikie Sherrill as the midterm elections approach, potentially affecting her campaign travel and the state's election administration.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way is facing an investigation into alleged misconduct, which is reportedly impacting Governor Mikie Sherrill's ability to travel for political reasons. The investigation, led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino, is expected to conclude soon, but its findings may not resolve the controversy given Way's public pushback against the allegations. Allies of Way have formed a "movement" to defend him and questioned the fairness of the investigation.
The accusations, which may have originated from an anonymous letter, suggest Way brought "uninvited female guests" to political events and handed out business cards to women he hoped to date. Way has denied these claims in a letter to a state ethics official, stating he has "never asked anyone out on a date, 'hit on,' or pursued anyone romantically while conducting official business."
Adding to the complexity, Way oversees the Division of Elections as New Jerseyans begin casting mail-in ballots for the midterms. Separately, a law firm is investigating a software error that added 6,600 noncitizens to the state's voter rolls before Sherrill and Way took office. According to Rutgers Law School professor Ronald Chen, the governor cannot remove the lieutenant governor; impeachment by the Assembly and conviction by the Senate would be required.