In a revelation that has stirred the political waters of New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic congressional candidate, faced a significant setback during her time at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994. Newly obtained records have disclosed that Sherrill was prevented from walking with her graduating class following a large-scale cheating scandal. The incident occurred on May 25, 1994, but the details are coming to light now, just as Sherrill faces a challenging re-election campaign against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
The New Jersey Globe reported that Sherrill's name was conspicuously absent from the commencement program, a decision that stemmed from her refusal to report classmates involved in the scandal. The controversy affected over 130 midshipmen, including Sherrill. "I didn't turn in some of my classmates, so I didn't walk, but graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for nearly ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor," Sherrill stated.
Despite the setback, Sherrill went on to have a distinguished military career, serving as a Navy helicopter pilot. Her service record has been a cornerstone of her political campaigns, where she frequently touts her leadership experience and dedication to public service. However, Sherrill has declined to authorize the release of sealed disciplinary records that would shed more light on the circumstances surrounding her graduation.
The timing of this disclosure coincides with a shift in political momentum. A poll by Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill indicated a statistical tie between Sherrill and Ciattarelli, each garnering 43 percent support from voters. This marks a departure from previous polls that had shown Sherrill with a substantial lead, suggesting an underestimation of Ciattarelli's support, similar to what was observed in the 2021 New Jersey governor's race.
Rumors of Sherrill's involvement in the Naval Academy cheating scandal had surfaced during her 2018 bid for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District seat, but no concrete evidence was presented until now. The scandal itself gained national attention in the early 1990s when midshipmen accessed and distributed answers to an electrical engineering exam. It led to the expulsion of approximately two dozen midshipmen and a congressional inquiry, culminating in the resignation of Rear Adm. Thomas Lynch, the Academy's superintendent at the time.
The controversy has been further fueled by the release of Sherrill's military records, which were obtained by Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Ciattarelli. Sherrill's campaign condemned the release, with communications director Sean Higgins accusing the Trump administration of unlawfully distributing her unredacted personal records. A National Archives spokesperson confirmed the release as improper and an ongoing review is taking place.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has called for a criminal investigation, defending Sherrill as "a patriot and a hero." The incident has raised serious concerns about privacy violations and the politicization of personal information.
As the race tightens and the past resurfaces, voters are left to weigh the significance of Sherrill's Naval Academy experience against her subsequent service and political record. The unfolding drama underscores the high stakes and intense scrutiny faced by candidates in today's polarized political climate.
