New Jersey Governor Race Disrupted by Leaked Military Records, Cheating Scandal

New Jersey's 2025 gubernatorial race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli has been disrupted by the unauthorized release of Sherrill's unredacted military records by the National Archives. These records, containing sensitive personal information including her Social Security number, were mistakenly given to an ally of Ciattarelli, prompting accusations of a politically motivated leak linked to President Trump's administration. The documents revealed that Sherrill was barred from walking at her 1994 Naval Academy graduation due to her refusal to report classmates involved in a cheating scandal, a fact Ciattarelli's campaign has used to demand full transparency from her. Sherrill and Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have condemned the release as illegal and a weaponization of federal resources, calling for an investigation and possible criminal charges. The controversy has intensified the already close race, raising broader concerns about privacy, due process, and the role of government agencies in handling sensitive information amid political battles. Both campaigns continue to clash publicly over the implications and motivations behind the leak, highlighting the high stakes of this key gubernatorial contest.