Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mikie Sherrill

Discover the career path of Mikie Sherrill, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mikie Sherrill is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district since 2019. A Democrat, she was first elected in 2018 and has been re-elected multiple times. Before entering politics, Sherrill was a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, an attorney, and a federal prosecutor. She is now seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Last Democrat to win this seat

In 1984, Joseph Minish was the last Democrat to win this seat before Mikie Sherrill.

1984: Democratic presidential candidate to win the 11th district

In 1984, the present configuration of the 11th district assumed its form.

1994: Graduation from Naval Academy and Flight Training

In 1994, after graduating from the Naval Academy, Mikie Sherrill completed over a year of flight training.

2000: Based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

In 2000, Mikie Sherrill was based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas.

2003: Left the Navy

In 2003, Mikie Sherrill left the Navy before obtaining a promotion to the rank of lieutenant commander, after serving on active duty for nine years.

2007: Summer Associate at Kirkland & Ellis

In the summer of 2007, while earning her Juris Doctor degree, Mikie Sherrill was a summer associate at Kirkland & Ellis.

2008: Joined Kirkland & Ellis

In 2008, after graduating from Georgetown University Law Center, Mikie Sherrill returned to Kirkland & Ellis's New York City office.

2011: Left Kirkland & Ellis

In 2011, Mikie Sherrill left Kirkland & Ellis.

2015: Assistant United States Attorney

In 2015, Mikie Sherrill became an assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

2016: Trump carried the district by just a single point

In 2016, Donald Trump carried the district by just a single point.

2016: Left the U.S. Attorneys' Office

In 2016, Mikie Sherrill left the United States Attorneys' Office with plans to enter the field of criminal justice reform.

2016: Republican margin

In 2016, there was a 19-point Republican margin.

May 11, 2017: Campaign Launch for U.S. House of Representatives

On May 11, 2017, Mikie Sherrill launched her campaign for New Jersey's 11th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

November 2017: Support for Sherrill's campaign

In November 2017, comedian Chelsea Handler showed her support for Mikie Sherrill's campaign in Montclair.

January 2018: Frelinghuysen announced he would not seek reelection

In January 2018, Rodney Frelinghuysen announced he would not seek reelection.

June 2018: Democratic Primary Win

In June 2018, Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic primary with 77% of the vote.

November 6, 2018: Election to U.S. House of Representatives

On November 6, 2018, Mikie Sherrill was elected as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district.

2018: Defeated Republican Jay Webber

In 2018, Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jay Webber with 56.8% of the vote.

2018: Campaign Fundraising Success

In 2018, Mikie Sherrill raised $2.8 million during the primary election and $1.9 million in the second quarter, setting a record for a House candidate from New Jersey in one quarter.

2019: Serving as U.S. representative

In 2019, Mikie Sherrill began serving as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district.

2019: Support for Trump Impeachment

In 2019, Mikie Sherrill changed her mind and supported exploring the first impeachment of President Donald Trump. She was instrumental in motivating House speaker Nancy Pelosi to proceed with the impeachment inquiry.

2020: Re-election to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2020, Mikie Sherrill was re-elected as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district.

2020: District favorability

In 2020, after redistricting, the 11th District became somewhat friendlier for Sherrill. Had the district existed in 2020, Biden would have carried it with 58 percent of the vote.

2021: Support for Second Impeachment of Trump

In 2021, Mikie Sherrill indicated her support for a second impeachment of Trump after the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

2022: Re-election to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2022, Mikie Sherrill was re-elected as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district by a wide margin.

February 1, 2023: Vote on COVID-19 National Emergency Resolution

On February 1, 2023, Mikie Sherrill was among twelve Democrats to vote for a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.

2023: Voting record with Biden

According to FiveThirtyEight, in 2023 Sherrill has voted with Biden 92.6% of the time in the 118th Congress.

2023: Criticism of Congestion Pricing in Manhattan

In 2023, Mikie Sherrill criticized the implementation of congestion pricing in lower Manhattan, New York City, describing the congestion pricing plan as "New York's greedy cash grab from New Jersey commuters."

2023: Left the Blue Dog Coalition

In 2023, Mikie Sherrill left the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of moderate and conservative House Democrats.

July 9, 2024: Request for President Biden to Step Aside

On July 9, 2024, Mikie Sherrill became the seventh House member to publicly request President Biden step aside as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 United States presidential election.