TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing criticism after flight records showed she used a New Jersey State Police helicopter to travel to Annapolis, Maryland, for an alumni event at the U.S. Naval Academy earlier this year.
According to State Police flight logs, Sherrill flew from Camden to Annapolis on April 17 to attend a gala commemorating 50 years of women at the Naval Academy before later returning to Bloomfield by helicopter. The trip was one of eight State Police helicopter flights the governor took over roughly a three-month period.
Governor’s office says flight served official transportation needs
Sherrill, a 1994 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, attended the event celebrating the anniversary of women being admitted to the academy. Two of her children currently attend the Naval Academy. Her time at the academy was marred by a cheating scandal. For her involvement in that scandal, she was not allowed to walk on graduation day with the classmates she reunited with last week.
Her office defended the use of the aircraft, saying the governor’s travel complied with State Police procedures and did not create additional expense for taxpayers.
“With the flight hours required each year, it comes at no added cost to the taxpayer,” Sherrill spokesperson Sean Higgins said in a statement. “This is part of the official New Jersey State Police transportation and security for the Governor of New Jersey to best serve the entire state and travel in the safest, most efficient manner.”
Critics question taxpayer-funded travel
The flight has prompted questions from critics over whether attendance at an alumni gathering justified the use of a taxpayer-funded aircraft.
The debate echoes a similar controversy involving former Gov. Chris Christie in 2011, when he used a State Police helicopter and state vehicles to attend his son’s high school baseball games. At the time, Christie faced bipartisan criticism because the helicopter is generally used for official government, public safety, and emergency missions.
State officials initially defended Christie’s flights by arguing they doubled as required pilot training and did not increase taxpayer costs. After weeks of criticism, Christie and the New Jersey Republican State Committee reimbursed the state for the helicopter travel.
Similar justification offered
Like the Christie administration, Sherrill’s office has argued that required flight hours and the governor’s security and transportation needs mean the trip did not impose additional costs on taxpayers.
No announcement has been made indicating that Sherrill intends to reimburse the state for the Annapolis flight.
Why it matters
The use of taxpayer-funded aircraft by elected officials has long drawn public scrutiny in New Jersey, particularly when travel includes events with personal or political connections. While governors receive State Police protection and transportation, questions often arise over where official duties end and personal activities begin.
About this report
This article is based on New Jersey State Police flight logs and a statement released by Gov. Sherrill’s office. Questions regarding the appropriateness of the trip remain a matter of public and political debate.
