Sherwin was elected as a Republican to the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1882.
During his time in office, Sherwin was elected as a Republican to represent the nation's interests in the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883). He decided not to run for re-election in 1882.