Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill is an American Democratic politician, lawyer, and former U.S.

Mikie Sherrill is an American Democratic politician, lawyer, and former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot. She served as a U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 11th congressional district from 2019 to 2025 and was elected governor of New Jersey in 2025, taking office in 2026. Her election made her the state’s first female Democratic governor and the first female military veteran elected governor of any U.S. state.

Early life and education

Sherrill was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1972. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994, later earned a master's degree from the London School of Economics, and received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Military and legal career

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Sherrill served nearly a decade in the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot. She later worked as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey.

U.S. House of Representatives

Sherrill was elected in 2018 to represent New Jersey's 11th congressional district and was reelected in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Her district is in northern New Jersey.

Governor of New Jersey

Sherrill won the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election and became governor in January 2026. Her election was notable for making her the state's first Democratic female governor and the first female veteran elected governor in the United States.