As the New Jersey gubernatorial contest heats up, the race between Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli has been thrown into the spotlight by the unauthorized release of Sherrill’s military records. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) inadvertently provided a largely unredacted copy of Sherrill’s file to Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Ciattarelli, sparking political uproar, calls for investigation, and renewed scrutiny in the final weeks of the campaign.
The records, released on September 25, included sensitive personal information such as Sherrill’s Social Security number, home address, and family details. While the documents revealed that Sherrill was barred from marching with her class at the 1994 U.S. Naval Academy graduation due to her refusal to report classmates involved in a cheating scandal, the release did not include her sealed disciplinary file. Sherrill confirmed she had never cheated and the punishment was linked solely to her refusal to inform on others.
Sherrill’s campaign swiftly condemned the release as a politically motivated attack, accusing Ciattarelli and the Trump administration of illegally weaponizing her private records. Ciattarelli’s team countered, emphasizing Sherrill’s role in the Naval Academy incident and questioning her transparency with voters. Multiple Democratic leaders, including Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, called for criminal investigations, while Sherrill signaled potential legal action against those responsible for the leak. NARA acknowledged the mistake, attributing it to an employee error and issuing a formal apology.
This development followed a busy week for the candidates, beginning with their first debate on Sunday, which focused on bread-and-butter issues such as housing, affordability, and public services. Sherrill highlighted her commitment to protecting reproductive rights and reducing utility costs, pledging a state-of-emergency declaration to address rising energy bills. “I’ll support your personal freedoms,” she told voters. “He’ll do whatever Trump tells him to do, and I will fight for you.”
Ciattarelli framed himself as a “hands-on CEO governor” intent on fixing New Jersey’s public safety and education challenges. He criticized Sherrill for being out-of-state born, and emphasized overdevelopment and taxation as core campaign issues. The debate saw both candidates spar over state budget growth and taxation policies, with Sherrill advocating fiscal responsibility and investment in public services, while Ciattarelli focused on property and income tax reductions.
Polls have tightened, with a mid-week Emerson survey showing Sherrill and Ciattarelli virtually tied at 43% each, with young voters heavily favoring Sherrill and older voters leaning toward Ciattarelli. The upcoming second debate, scheduled for October 8 at Rutgers University’s Bloustein School, is expected to further shape the race as New Jersey voters weigh their options.
Endorsements have also played a role in shaping momentum. Sherrill received backing from the National Resources Defense Council for her environmental and clean energy initiatives, while Ciattarelli secured support from the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, emphasizing his commitment to law enforcement and public safety.
The military record controversy has intensified scrutiny on both campaigns. Democrats, veterans’ organizations, and advocacy groups such as EMILY’s List have condemned the release as an unprecedented breach of privacy, highlighting the potential violation of federal law under the Privacy Act of 1974. Sherrill stated, “No veteran’s record is safe when political gain overrides the law.” Ciattarelli’s ally, De Gregorio, admitted shock at the exposure of Sherrill’s Social Security number, underscoring the sensitive nature of the incident.
As the election nears, voters are closely watching how these developments may influence the race, alongside the candidates’ positions on taxation, energy, education, and public safety. The controversy has not only brought national attention to the New Jersey gubernatorial election but also raised broader questions about the handling of private federal records and the role of political influence in the final stretch of campaigns.
For ongoing coverage of the New Jersey governor’s race, candidate updates, debates, and election news, readers can visit Explore New Jersey Politics for comprehensive reporting and analysis on all key developments in the state.
