A decades-old scandal has just resurfaced to haunt Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic contender for New Jersey governor, as she battles for votes in a suddenly tight race.
Fox News reported that the story, dug up by the New Jersey Globe, centers on Sherrill’s exclusion from her 1994 US Naval Academy graduation ceremony due to a sprawling cheating scandal, a revelation that’s casting a shadow over her campaign as she’s now tied in polls with Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
Let’s rewind to May 25, 1994, when Sherrill, then a midshipman at the prestigious Naval Academy, found herself barred from walking with her classmates at commencement.
Records show her name was conspicuously absent from the graduation program, a glaring omission tied to a cheating controversy that ensnared 130 midshipmen in her class.
While Sherrill did graduate and was commissioned as an officer, the decision to block her from the ceremony suggests serious disciplinary action, though the specifics remain under wraps.
Sherrill has declined to release the sealed records from her time at the Academy that could shed light on the exact reasons for her exclusion, leaving voters to wonder what’s being hidden.
Fast forward to last year, when Sherrill announced her candidacy for New Jersey governor, touting her credentials as a former U.S. Navy helicopter commander and federal prosecutor.
Those credentials are impressive on paper, but this Naval Academy episode raises questions about integrity—something conservatives often prioritize over polished resumes.
After all, if trust was breached back then, how can voters be sure it won’t be again in the governor’s mansion?
Adding fuel to the fire, a recent poll shows Sherrill locked in a dead heat with Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a stark contrast to earlier surveys where she held a comfortable lead.
Could this scandal be the tipping point for undecided voters who value character over party lines in an era weary of political spin?
The Post reached out to Sherrill’s campaign for a response, but the silence so far speaks volumes—or at least leaves room for speculation.
Sherrill did offer a comment to an outlet, saying, "I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk but graduated and was commissioned."
Her words paint a picture of loyalty to peers over rules, but let’s be honest—cheating scandals aren’t exactly the kind of “honor” most associate with military service, and sidestepping accountability doesn’t inspire confidence in leadership.
As Sherrill campaigns across New Jersey, including a recent interview in New York on May 2, 2025, this ghost from her past threatens to undermine her narrative of service and distinction. It’s a reminder that history, no matter how old, has a way of catching up in politics. And for a state tired of progressive promises that often outpace results, this could be the crack in the armor that shifts the race.
