 Sherwood studied at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.A member of the Progressive Conservative Party, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1995, 1999 and 2003.In opposition from 1995 to 1999, he served as critic for various departments and served from 1997 to 1998 as house leader under Elvy Robichaud.