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. Prior to her political career, she served as a naval officer and federal prosecutor. Her district encompasses suburban and exurban areas west of New York City. Sherrill's background in both military service and law enforcement distinguishes her in the political arena.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2000: Based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

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

2007: Summer Associate at Kirkland & Ellis

In mid-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, working in the litigation department.

2011: Left Kirkland & Ellis

In 2011, Mikie Sherrill left Kirkland & Ellis.

2015: Federal Prosecutor

In 2015, Mikie Sherrill became a federal prosecutor, serving as an assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

2016: Trump Carries the District

In 2016, Donald Trump carried New Jersey's 11th congressional district by just a single point, suggesting vulnerability for the incumbent Republican.

2016: Left U.S. Attorney's Office

In 2016, Mikie Sherrill left her position as an assistant United States Attorney, planning to enter the field of criminal justice reform.

May 11, 2017: Launched Campaign for Congress

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. Sherrill received endorsements from VoteVets.org, EMILY's List, The New York Times editorial board, and Clean Water Action.

January 2018: Rodney Frelinghuysen Announces Retirement

In January 2018, Rodney Frelinghuysen, the incumbent for New Jersey's 11th congressional district, announced he would not seek reelection.

June 2018: Won Democratic Primary

In June 2018, Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic primary for New Jersey's 11th congressional district with 77% of the vote, defeating four other candidates.

November 6, 2018: Election to Congress

On November 6, 2018, Mikie Sherrill was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party.

2018: Defeated Jay Webber

In 2018, Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jay Webber with 56.8% of the vote, marking the largest partisan vote share swing in the 2018 cycle. She became the first Democrat to win the seat since 1984.

2018: Fundraising Success

In 2018, Mikie Sherrill raised $2.8 million during the primary election, making her a top House fundraiser. Her campaign raised $1.9 million in the second quarter, setting a New Jersey record for a House candidate in one quarter.

2019: Became U.S. Representative

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

2019: Impeachment of Donald Trump

In 2019, Mikie Sherrill initially opposed exploring the first impeachment of President Donald Trump but reversed course after a whistleblower alleged Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sherrill was instrumental in motivating House speaker Nancy Pelosi to proceed with the impeachment inquiry.

2020: Redistricting and Biden's Support

Following the 2020 census, the 11th District became friendlier for Sherrill due to redistricting. Had the district existed in 2020, Biden would have carried it with 58 percent of the vote.

2020: Re-election to Congress

In 2020, Mikie Sherrill was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by a slightly narrower margin.

2021: Second Impeachment of Trump

Following the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Mikie Sherrill indicated her support for a second impeachment of Donald Trump.

2022: Re-election to Congress

In 2022, Mikie Sherrill was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by a wide margin after redistricting made the 11th district more Democratic-leaning.

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

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

2023: Criticism of Congestion Pricing

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

2023: Left Blue Dog Coalition

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

July 9, 2024: Requested Biden Step Aside

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

November 2024: Campaign for Governor

In November 2024, Sherrill launched her campaign for governor of New Jersey.

2024: Re-election to Congress

In 2024, Mikie Sherrill was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by wide margins after redistricting made the 11th district more Democratic-leaning.