Democrat’s involvement in cheating scandal scrutinized in crucial debate

The New Jersey gubernatorial debate got tense and personal Wednesday evening after GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli mocked his Democratic rival, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, over her involvement in a massive cheating scandal at the U.S. Naval Academy that prevented her from participating in its graduation.

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

In response to this attack, Chiattarelli said: “Shame on you,” adding: “It is a lie. I am proud of my career.”

“The difference between me and the congresswoman? She participated in my college graduation,” Ciattarelli said, referring to the Naval Academy scandal.

The top presidential race has been rocked by allegations of leaks and dirty tricks amid the publication of incorrect military records

Bombshell’s private military records that were recently improperly disclosed by the National Archives and Records Administration revealed that Cheryl was not allowed to march with her graduating class at the Naval Academy and that her name was not included in the graduation program due to her involvement in the scandal.

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

Ciattarelli pressed hard on the Naval Academy controversy during Wednesday’s debate. Sherrill was also accused of improperly reporting stock trades during her time in congress.

Blue state gubernatorial candidates are trading barbs on a crucial issue weeks before Election Day

He added: “I have never broken the law.” “She had to pay federal fines for violating federal stock trading and reporting law, and the New York Times reported that she was trading defense stocks while serving on the House Armed Services Committee.”

“What,” Cheryl replied [Ciattarelli] “He never learned, despite walking into his graduation ceremony, responsibility, integrity and caring for the community, and I think that disqualifies him.”

“This is the same old misinformation he keeps peddling, because he knows I don’t trade individual stocks, and he knows I’ve gone too far. He also knows he’s peddling some inane numbers, but he actually knows a lot about my finances because they’re all tied to the dollar.”

Sherrill takes another shot at Republican rival as questions swirl about her military records: ‘Hand in the cookie jar’

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

Ciattarelli immediately denied this, saying: “She released her tax returns for two years in the years after paying the federal fines; I released 12 years, I come back every year.”

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

In response, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of releasing the returns right before the debate, “because you know I’m going to call you about it.”

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