Mikie Sherrill is an American lawyer politician, former naval officer, and former federal prosecutor who currently serves as the 57th governor of New Jersey. She assumed office in January 2026 after winning the 2025 gubernatorial election, becoming the second woman to lead the state, the first Democratic woman elected governor of New Jersey, and the first female military veteran to be elected governor of any U.S. state.
Before becoming governor, Sherrill represented New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 until she resigned in 2025 to focus on her gubernatorial campaign and transition to state leadership.
Personal Information
Complete Name –> Rebecca Michelle Sherrill
Nickname –> Mikie Sherrill
Birth Date –> January 19, 1972 (Age )
Birth Place –> Alexandria, Virginia, United States of America
Hometown –> Montclair, New Jersey, United States of America
Political Party –> Democratic Party
Family
Husband –> Investmant Banker Jason Hedberg (Married 2005)
Children –> 4 (Maggie and Marit, Lincoln and Ike)
Education
College –> United States Naval Academy (BS)
Post-Graduate –> London School of Economics (MSc)
Law School –> Georgetown University (JD)
Biography
Mikie Sherrill spent nearly 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a Sea King helicopter pilot. Her service included:
– Leading missions throughout Europe and the Middle East;
– Serving as a Russian policy officer overseeing nuclear treaty obligations;
– Working as a Flag Aide to the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
After leaving the Navy, she worked in private practice at Kirkland & Ellis before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. She served as an Outreach and Reentry Coordinator, focusing on building community trust and helping former prisoners find housing and employment, and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where she prosecuted federal cases involving illegal firearms.
Legislative and Gubernatorial Career
In 2018, Sherrill entered politics and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. She served four terms, during which she was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a leader within the moderate New Democrat Coalition.
In 2025, she won the New Jersey gubernatorial election with approximately 56% of the vote, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Upon taking office in January 2026, her administration immediately prioritized “affordability,” with her first executive orders aimed at:
– Freezing electricity rate hikes to provide immediate financial relief.
– Declaring a state of emergency on utility costs to expand power generation.
– Streamlining government permitting to reduce business red tape.
See also: Abigail Spanberger Biography