Progressive veterans organization VoteVets today announced its endorsement of former Naval Helicopter pilot and Federal Prosecutor Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

 “It’s an honor to receive the support of VoteVets,” said Sherrill, who’s looking early to nail down support from Democrats in a 2018 bid against incumbent veteran U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11). “Right now, we need a new kind of leader who is willing to fight for our values. Thanks to organizations like VoteVets we are seeing more and more veterans running for Congress who are not afraid of taking on President Trump and the Republican leadership whose dangerous agenda devalues America’s core values.”

While others out there continue to size up their prospects, assemblyman John McKeon (D-27) among them, Sherrill is the only challenger to Frelinghuysen who has formally announced her candidacy.

“When I was 18 years old, I took an oath to serve and protect our Constitution,” she said. “This is an oath that has stayed with me throughout out my career and has motivated me to step up to serve once again. When I get to Congress, I won’t be afraid to tackle every part of the job from meeting with the constituents of New Jersey’s 11th district or taking on President Trump’s disastrous health care plan. We can do better and deserve better.”

In their endorsement Rick Hegdahl, Veterans Outreach Director for VoteVets said of Sherrill, “We are absolutely thrilled that Mikie has decided to serve her country and community again, as a Representative, and we are proud to endorse her. Mikie has dedicated her life to serving others, and has put her life on the line, for that cause. Her smarts, her dedication, her deep ties to her community in New Jersey will mean that the people of the 11th will have one of the best representatives in Congress, if they send her to Washington to shake things up.”

Founded in 2006, the mission of VoteVets.org Political Action Committee is to elect Veterans to public office, with a focus on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and hold public officials accountable for their words and actions that impact America’s 21st century troops and veterans.