Rep. Mikie Sherrill is facing renewed scrutiny after previously undisclosed details revealed she was prohibited from participating in her 1994 U.S. Naval Academy graduation ceremony due to her connection to a large-scale cheating scandal.
According to the New York Post, the revelation of Sherrill’s absence from the ceremony, confirmed through newly surfaced military and academy records, has ignited political and legal controversy during her tightly contested New Jersey gubernatorial campaign against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
In May 1994, Sherrill was barred from walking at her graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy due to disciplinary fallout tied to a significant cheating investigation involving her class. Her name was omitted from the official commencement program, although she still received her commission as a Navy officer upon graduation.
The scandal, which emerged from an unauthorized exchange of answers to a 1992 electrical engineering exam, implicated 130 midshipmen and ultimately resulted in the expulsion of approximately two dozen students. Records show that Sherrill was not expelled and served in the Navy until 2003. Sherrill has explained that her punishment stemmed from her refusal to betray classmates during the Academy’s internal inquiry. “I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk,” she said, adding that she still graduated and served with “the highest level of distinction and honor.”
Long-Buried Academy Episode Becomes Public
Though whispers of the incident had circulated since her 2018 congressional campaign, there was no direct confirmation until records were obtained by the New Jersey Globe. Her absence from the graduation ceremony and omission from the program were recently verified through official documents. Despite the misconduct investigation, Sherrill appeared as a listed cadet in the Academy’s 1994 yearbook. She also received a Navy Achievement Medal in 1991 after saving the life of a fellow midshipman, signaling her otherwise commendable service.
As the incident reemerges, Sherrill has declined to release sealed disciplinary records that could clarify the reasoning behind the Academy’s decision to bar her from graduation proceedings. Critics and political opponents are pressing for full transparency as the issue reverberates ahead of the fall election.
Release of Records Sparks Privacy Controversy
The latest controversy intensified when military files from Sherrill’s time at the Naval Academy were handed over to Nicholas De Gregorio, a supporter of Ciattarelli. The files were released in full – including personal identifiers such as Sherrill’s Social Security number – by a technician at the National Archives.
The National Archives has since acknowledged that the release of the unredacted records was improper. An internal review is underway, and the Archives confirmed that “the technician should NOT have released the entire record.” Sherrill’s campaign has condemned the disclosure, describing it as a potential violation of federal law. Campaign communications director Sean Higgins said, “We are calling on Jack Ciattarelli and the Trump administration to immediately stop illegally distributing Mikie Sherrill’s military files.”
Trump Administration Tied to Records Dispute
The Democratic Party has accused the Trump administration of orchestrating the record distribution, suggesting it was done to provide political ammunition for Ciattarelli. Higgins further stated that Sherrill’s private information was “weaponized” for political targeting.
Several national Democratic leaders have backed Sherrill amid the fallout. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin called the release “yet another example” of Republicans using government resources for political gains. He asserted that the documents were unlawfully provided to her opponent’s campaign. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also condemned the situation, demanding a criminal investigation. “I support a criminal investigation into the unauthorized and illegal release of Mikie Sherrill’s record,” he said. Jeffries reiterated his support for Sherrill, calling her “a patriot and a hero.”
Political Fallout Hits Both Campaigns Hard
This scandal unfolds as polls show a neck-and-neck race between Sherrill and Ciattarelli. A new survey by Emerson College Polling, PIX11, and The Hill puts both candidates at 43 percent, with neither holding a clear advantage.
Sherrill had previously enjoyed a comfortable lead in most polling. Her opponent, however, proved polling-resistant in a prior run, with Ciattarelli outperforming expectations in the 2021 gubernatorial race. The renewed attention on Sherrill’s military past and the questionable handling of her records have created turbulence on both sides of the aisle. While her campaign considers legal steps, her critics are seizing on the developments to raise questions about trust and accountability.
National Attention Turns to the New Jersey Race
Analysts say the records controversy may have elevated what was seen as a localized issue into a broader political spectacle. The focus on privacy violations, transparency, and the ethical use of federal power has resonated beyond New Jersey borders.
Meanwhile, the National Archives continues its internal audit to avoid future missteps. The institution remains under pressure to explain how personal military data was shared with a political ally under disputed legal circumstances. In the closing months of the race, both candidates are navigating uncharted territory, with past controversies and present-day legal battles shaping public perception. How this story impacts the outcome remains to be seen.
