Democrat’s involvement in cheating scandal scrutinized in crucial debate

The New Jersey gubernatorial debate turned tense and personal Wednesday night after GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli mocked his Democratic rival, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, for her involvement in a massive cheating scandal that prevented him from attending his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy.

The exchange began with Sherrill accusing Ciattarelli of being responsible for tens of thousands of deaths: “He made his millions working with some of the worst criminals and saying opioids were safe.”

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

Referring to the Naval Academy scandal, Ciattarelli said, “The difference between me and the congressman? I had to walk at my college graduation.”

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Bombshell private military records recently improperly disclosed by the National Archives and Records Administration revealed that Sherrill was not allowed to march with his graduating class at the Naval Academy and that his name was not included in the graduation program because of his involvement in the scandal.

Sherrill was not accused of cheating at the Naval Academy, but he said he faced disciplinary action for failing to report some of the exam cheating. Because of this incident, Sherrill’s name was not included in the graduation program at the May 25, 1994 ceremony, according to records obtained by the New Jersey Globe.

Ciattarelli weighed in on the Naval Academy controversy during Wednesday’s debate. He also accused Sherrill of improperly reporting stock trades during his time in Congress.

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“I never broke the law,” he said. “He had to pay a federal fine for violating federal law regarding stock trades and stock reporting, and the New York Times reports that he traded defense stocks while sitting on the House Armed Services Committee.”

Sherrill responded: “What [Ciattarelli] “Even though he walked at his graduation, he never learned about responsibility, integrity and caring for the community, and I think that disqualifies him.”

“This is the same old misinformation that he continues to promote, because he knows I don’t trade individual stocks, he knows I go above and beyond that. He also knows that he’s promoting some ridiculous numbers, but he actually knows a lot about my financial situation because it’s all tied to the dollar.”

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

Ciattarelli quickly denied this, saying, “He released two years of tax returns in the years after he paid the federal penalties; I went back each year and released 12 years.”

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In response, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of releasing the remarks right before the debate, “Because you knew I was going to call you out on this.”

After this Ciattarelli whistled and leaned over and said, “I’m getting desperate.”