Democrat’s involvement in cheating scandal scrutinized during crucial debate

New Jersey’s gubernatorial debate turned tense and personal Wednesday night after Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli mocked his Democratic opponent, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, over her involvement in a massive cheating scandal at the U.S. Naval Academy that kept her from participating in her graduation.

The exchange was started by Sherrill accusing Ciattarelli of being responsible for tens of thousands of deaths, saying, “He made millions working with some of the worst offenders and saying opioids were safe.”

In response to the attack, Ciattarelli said: “Shame on you” and added: “It’s a lie, I’m proud of my career.”

“The difference between me and the congresswoman? I was able to walk at my college graduation,” Ciattarelli said, referring to the Naval Academy scandal.

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Republican Jack Ciattarelli (R) faced off against Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill (L) in a New Jersey gubernatorial debate Wednesday night. (Noah K. Murray/AP Photos)

Explosive private military files that were recently improperly unsealed by the National Archives and Records Administration revealed that Sherrill was not allowed to march with her graduating class at the Naval Academy and that her name was not included in the graduation program because of her involvement in the scandal.

Sherrill was not accused of cheating at the Naval Academy, but said she was facing disciplinary action for failing to report some of those who cheated on an exam. Because of this incident, Sherrill’s name was not included in the opening program during the May 25, 1994, ceremony, according to records obtained by the New Jersey Globe.

Ciattarelli emphasized the controversy surrounding the Naval Academy during Wednesday’s debate. He also accused Sherrill of improperly reporting stock transactions during his time in Congress.

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“I have never broken the law,” he said. “She had to pay federal fines for violating federal law on securities trading and publishing securities information, and the New York Times reports that she was trading defense stocks while serving on the House Armed Services Committee.”

Sherrill countered, “What (Ciattarelli) never learned, despite walking to graduation, was responsibility, integrity, concern for community, and I think that disqualifies him.”

“It’s the same old misinformation he keeps promoting because he knows I don’t trade individual stocks, he knows I’ve gone beyond that. He also knows he’s promoting useless numbers, but in reality he knows a lot about my finances because they’re all tied to the dollar.”

SHERRILL QUICK ON GOP RIVAL AS QUESTIONS SWIRL ABOUT HER MILITARY FILES: ‘HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR’

New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill, right, and Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, on stage at the start of their second and final debate, October 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News Digital)

Ciattarelli immediately rejected this claim, saying: “She released two years of tax returns in the years after she paid the federal fines; I published for 12 years, going back each year. »

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In response, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of releasing the results just before the debate, “Because you knew I was going to call you on it.”

After that, Ciattarelli whistled and leaned over and remarked, “I’m desperate.” »