Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill

MONTCLAIR -- A township woman who piloted helicopters in the Navy and worked as a federal prosecutor will throw her hat into the 11th Congressional District race next year, with the goal of unseating longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen.

Mikie Sherrill, a mother of four, told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday she plans to run in the Democratic primary next year.

"I've always fought hard for this country for my entire adult life," Sherrill said. "I think after 22 years in Washington, Rodney Frelinghuysen has stopped listening and stopped talking to his constituents."

In response to criticism from constituents over his support of President Donald Trump's agenda, Frelinghuysen has been dodging their requests for an in-person town hall for months.

Instead he's held town halls over the phone, and, last month, agreed to meet with about three dozen constituents so long as they traveled 200 miles to his Washington D.C. office.

Sherrill, who flew missions in Europe and the Middle East as a Sea King helicopter pilot, said the issues on which she's most focused are "an economy that supports the middle class, national security and veterans' issues, and women's health and work place issues."

In terms of national security, Sherrill said she believed the United States should focus on its traditional allies.

"We don't need to be turning to dictators and strongmen," she said.

Sherrill, who received her law degree from Georgetown University and later went to join the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey, also took issue with Trump's recent firing of FBI Director James Comey.

"As a former federal prosecutor, I find the timing of his firing suspicious," she said, adding. "I think its time for Republicans like Rodney Frelinghuysen to insist upon an independent prosecutor into the (Russia-Trump campaign investigation)."

She added: "I think it's important to send people to Washington that are willing to work across the aisle. I know there are some who would be willing to work with Democrats to continue this investigation."

Sherrill said she would also stand as a stark contrast from Frelinghuysen in her support of Planned Parenthood, which in addition to family planning also provides cancer screenings and other health services.

Women, she said, make an integral part of the economy, and when their health or employment opportunities are affected it has a domino effect.

"When you're shortchanging women, you're shortchanging families," she said.

Sherrill and her husband, Jason, a fellow Naval Academy graduate, live in Monclair with their four children, ages 11, 10, 7 and 5.

Sherrill may not be the only Democrat weighing a run against Frelinghuysen. Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex) is also apparently being wooed for a bid but he has said he won't formally announce or raise money until after the November election for the legislature.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.