Brian Bergen eyes run for governor in 2029

Assembly Minority Whip Brian Bergen (R-Denville) is considering a run for governor in 2029, saying Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s first year in office has left the door open for a Republican challenger.

Bergen said Thursday that he plans to seek re-election to the State Assembly in 2027 while sharply criticizing Sherrill’s performance and suggesting his next campaign could be for governor.

The three-term lawmaker who represents parts of Morris and Passaic counties, said Sherrill has fallen short of the expectations she set during her campaign and openly floated the prospect of challenging her in three years.

“If the governor keeps up the way she’s been, you could see a Governor Bergen candidate in 2029,” Bergen said.

Bergen said Sherrill’s handling of controversies during her first year has made her politically vulnerable.

“She’s not doing the job she needs to do; she’s leaving the door wide open for someone to come in with real leadership in this state, and I think the people are going to want that,” he said.

Bergen cited what he called a “total lack of transparency” over the Caldwell investigation and problems involving the state’s voter files.

Earlier this summer, the Sherrill administration revealed that 6,600 people were improperly transmitted from the Motor Vehicle Commission to the state voter registration system between June 2023 and June 2024 because of a programming error involving citizenship status.  The administration subsequently began removing ineligible voters from the rolls.  Sherrill has also resisted efforts by Republicans and the Trump administration to obtain New Jersey’s voter rolls.

The New Jersey Globe first reported earlier this month that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell was under investigation over allegations of inappropriate behavior with women and possible ethics violations, including the purported offer of state jobs.

When asked about the investigation on September 9, Sherrill declined to confirm or deny whether it was underway, saying complaints would be taken seriously and those involved would receive a full review.

Bergen said Sherrill has become increasingly insulated since taking office.

“It’s like she’s running for another office right now. She is way too heavily managed right now. It’s not Governor Sherrill that ran; it’s not the governor that was there in the first couple of weeks,” Bergen stated , pointing to Sherrill’s efforts to campaign for Democratic candidates around the country and the political action committee she launched earlier this year.

Sherrill launched Mission to Deliver in March to support Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections and has endorsed candidates in congressional races nationwide.  The Caldwell investigation has limited her plans to campaign outside New Jersey.

Other potential Republican candidates in 2029 include: Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R-Chester); Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon; Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Point Pleasant Beach); Assemblyman Greg Myhre (R-Stafford); State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver); Middletown Mayor Tony Perry; State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale); Bill Spadea; State Sen. Douglas Steinhardt (R-Lopatcong); State Sen. Michael Testa (R-Vineland).