Investigation Launched Into Leak of Military Records in NJ Race

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has initiated an investigation into the disclosure of sensitive military records belonging to Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic candidate for Governor of New Jersey. These documents, which included personal information such as her Social Security number and life insurance details, were reportedly obtained by her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, during a heated campaign for the governorship.

Last month, amidst escalating tensions in the race, Ciattarelli’s campaign acquired unredacted military records of Sherrill, raising significant privacy concerns. According to reports, an ally of Ciattarelli submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for Sherrill’s records, receiving a total of 85 pages without redactions. This individual then passed the documents to Ciattarelli’s campaign.

Details of the Investigation and Allegations

NARA officials have stated that the release of these documents was an “error” made by a staff member, and they have since reached out to Sherrill’s office to apologize. A spokesperson for NARA characterized the incident as “a really egregious error” that can “unfortunately” occur. The acting inspector general for NARA, Will Brown, confirmed that an internal probe is underway, though he did not provide details regarding the specifics of the investigation.

Democratic representatives, along with Sherrill, have accused NARA, currently overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, of politically motivated actions to assist the Republican candidate. Sherrill claimed on MSNBC that the release of her records was intentional. In contrast, a lawyer for Ciattarelli’s campaign asserted that they did not believe any confidential information had been improperly disclosed.

The controversy has escalated with Ciattarelli’s campaign threatening legal action against Sherrill for defamation. They contend that the records shared did not address whether Sherrill was involved in a 1994 cheating scandal at the Naval Academy, a major part of their campaign narrative.

Sherrill’s Military Background and Campaign Responses

Sherrill’s military career has become a focal point in her campaign. Although she was not allowed to walk at her graduation from the Naval Academy due to her refusal to inform on classmates involved in the scandal, she graduated and served with distinction in the U.S. Navy for over nine years. Records from the New York Times show that she was commended for saving a classmate’s life during a training exercise in 1991.

As the situation develops, Sherrill’s campaign has condemned the actions of Ciattarelli’s team, labeling the sharing of her military records as “despicable.” In a bid to counter the allegations against her, Republicans have pressured Sherrill to disclose her disciplinary and investigative records, questioning her narrative regarding the circumstances of her graduation.

Polling indicates that Sherrill is currently leading Ciattarelli by a slight margin, although an Emerson poll released recently shows the race tightening, with both candidates nearly neck and neck. The outcome of this gubernatorial race is viewed as significant, providing insights into voter sentiment during the early months of the current presidential administration.

The Independent has sought comments from NARA regarding the ongoing investigation and its implications for the election.