History of Mikie Sherrill in Timeline

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

January 19, 1972: Mikie Sherrill Born

On January 19, 1972, Rebecca Michelle "Mikie" Sherrill was born. She later became an American politician, former naval officer, and federal prosecutor.

Others born on this day/year

1974: Privacy Act of 1974

CBS News reported the the National Archives and Records Administration had released a mostly unredacted version of Sherrill's military records to Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Jack Ciattarelli, in potential violation of the Privacy Act of 1974.

1984: Joseph Minish Defeated

In 1984, 16-term incumbent Joseph Minish was defeated after the district had been redrawn to be more Republican.

1984: Joe Biden first Democratic presidential candidate

In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the 11th district since it assumed its present configuration in 1984, carrying the district with 52.7% of the vote.

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.

2010: Moved to Montclair

In 2010, Mikie Sherrill and her husband, Jason Hedberg, moved to Montclair with their four children.

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: Donald Trump carried the district by one percentage point

In 2016, Donald Trump carried New Jersey's 11th congressional district by one percentage point, indicating a potential vulnerability for the Republican incumbent.

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.

2016: Partisan Vote Share Swing

In 2016, the district had a 19-point Republican margin which swung to a 15-point Democratic one in 2018.

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.

January 2018: Rodney Frelinghuysen announced he would not seek reelection

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

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: Biden would have carried the district

After redistricting following the 2020 census, had the district existed in 2020, Joe Biden would have carried it with 58% of the vote.

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.

November 2024: Launched campaign for governor

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

2024: Won Democratic primary and reelected

In 2024, Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic primary with 93.6% of the vote and was reelected in the general election with 56.5% of the vote.

June 10, 2025: Won Democratic primary for governor

On June 10, 2025, Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic primary for governor of New Jersey with 34% of the vote.

2025: Abigail Spanberger Elected Governor

During most of her time in Congress, Mikie Sherrill roomed with colleague Abigail Spanberger, who was elected governor of Virginia during the same 2025 election cycle as Sherrill.