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, former naval officer, and former federal prosecutor. She is the governor-elect of New Jersey, having defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the 2025 election. A Democrat, she has served as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th congressional district since 2019. Her background includes military service and legal experience before entering politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Graduated from the United States Naval Academy

In 1994, Mikie Sherrill earned her Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

1994: Graduated from Naval Academy

In 1994, Mikie Sherrill graduated from the Naval Academy but was barred from walking at commencement as punishment for her failure to report students implicated in a major cheating scandal.

2000: Based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

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

2003: Received MSc in International and World History

In 2003, Mikie Sherrill received a Master of Science (MSc) degree in international and world history from the London School of Economics.

2004: Received Certificate in Arabic Language

In 2004, Mikie Sherrill received a certificate in Arabic language from the American University in Cairo.

2007: Earned Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center

In 2007, Mikie Sherrill earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

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's New York City Office

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 her position in the litigation department at Kirkland & Ellis's New York City office.

2015: Became Federal Prosecutor

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

2016: Left U.S. Attorney's Office

In 2016, Mikie Sherrill left her position as an assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, 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: Chelsea Handler Supported Sherrill's Campaign

In November 2017, comedian Chelsea Handler supported Mikie Sherrill's campaign in Montclair. Sherrill also received endorsements from VoteVets.org, EMILY's List, The New York Times editorial board, and the New Jersey chapter of Clean Water Action.

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: Defeated Jay Webber

On November 6, 2018, Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican nominee Jay Webber with 56.8% of the vote. This election marked a significant swing in the 2018 cycle.

2018: Campaign Fundraiser

During the 2018 primary election, Mikie Sherrill raised $2.8 million, placing her among the top House fundraisers in the country. Her campaign raised $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2018, setting a record for a House candidate from New Jersey in one quarter.

2019: Became U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District

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

2019: Reversed position on Trump impeachment

In 2019, Mikie Sherrill reversed her initial opposition to exploring the first impeachment of President Donald Trump after a whistleblower alleged that Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden.

2020: Reelected to Congress

In 2020, Mikie Sherrill was reelected to Congress, defeating Republican Rosemary Becchi with 53.3% of the vote.

2021: Supported Second Impeachment of Trump

In 2021, Mikie Sherrill indicated her support for a second impeachment of Donald Trump following the United States Capitol attack, stating she had seen colleagues giving "reconnaissance tours" of the building the day before the attack.

February 1, 2023: Voted to end COVID-19 national emergency

On February 1, 2023, Mikie Sherrill was one of 12 Democrats to vote for a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.

2023: Criticized congestion pricing in Manhattan

In 2023, Mikie Sherrill criticized the implementation of congestion pricing in lower Manhattan, New York City, calling the congestion pricing plan "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.

2023: Voted with Biden

Through 2023, Mikie Sherrill voted with President Biden 92.6% of the time in the 118th Congress, which was slightly below the average of 93% for Democrats in Congress.

July 9, 2024: Requested Biden step aside

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