Bergen, Who Fought NJ's Carry Law, Now Eyes Governor in 2029
Assemblyman Bergen, a Republican from New Jersey's 26th District, says he will "more than likely" run for governor in 2029. He made the statement in a late-night social media post on November 10, 2026, and confirmed it in an interview with Bearing Arms. The post came shortly after State Senator Joe Pennacchio announced he will not seek reelection, which opens his Senate seat. Bergen says he will not run for it. He wants the governor's office instead, and he has to win his Assembly seat in 2027 first.
Key Details
The facts below come from Bergen's post and his interview with Bearing Arms.
- Office and district: Bergen represents the 26th District in the Assembly and has served about seven years. He is a U.S. military veteran.
- Next race: Bergen faces voters for his Assembly seat in 2027.
- Senate rumors: Bergen used his post to shut down speculation that he would seek Pennacchio's open Senate seat.
- Governor target: Bergen says a 2029 gubernatorial run is "more than likely," and he said he is "pretty confident" of it.
- Target of criticism: Bergen says Governor Rebecca "Mikie" Sherrill runs New Jersey in a middle-of-the-road way. He claims she is focused on campaigning for Democrats and wants a cabinet post if a Democrat wins the presidency in 2028.
- Earlier signal: A September New Jersey Globe article quoted Bergen saying a "Governor Bergen" candidacy in 2029 could emerge if Sherrill's performance does not improve.
- Stated priority: Bergen says he will spend the 2027 campaign "earning every vote" in his district rather than planning his next move.
Background
In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The Court struck down New York's "proper cause" requirement for carry permits and set a new test. Under that test, gun laws must fit within the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation. New Jersey then moved to rewrite its carry law. Assemblyman Joe Danielsen, a Democrat from the 17th District, carried the sweeping bill that became the state's post-Bruen framework. Governor Phil Murphy signed the package later that year. Bergen opposed it during committee hearings. He pressed Danielsen on whether he agreed that Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms. He also argued that the bill discriminated against women by barring carry in a purse. Bergen pointed out that some provisions, including one requiring carriers to unload and lock up firearms in their vehicles, have since been blocked by a court order. Bergen's record on the 2022 bill is the main reason many New Jersey gun owners know his name.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
New Jersey carriers should pay attention to this race from the start. The 26th District contest in 2027 will set the political balance in that part of the state, and the Senate seat opening up means new candidates will need to take positions on carry. Any candidate who wants the governor's office in 2029 will have to answer questions about the permit process, the sensitive-places rules, and the vehicle provisions that courts have already blocked. Gun owners in the 26th District should check their voter registration now and track the candidate filings for both the Assembly and the Senate seat. Ask every candidate a direct question: will you repeal or amend the post-Bruen carry restrictions? Write down the answers. Politicians change their positions once they hold office, and a written record helps hold them to what they said.
DownRange Analysis
Bergen's 2022 arguments hold up under Bruen. The Court requires the state to show a historical analogue for modern restrictions. A ban on carrying in a purse, or a rule that forces a permit holder to lock a handgun away every time he steps out of his car, struggles to meet that standard. That is why courts have blocked parts of the law. Bergen's point about the purse is strong. Any judge who examines the historical record will find little support for a rule like that. The market reads this kind of politics too. Dealers and trainers in New Jersey watch which candidates are serious about carry rights, because permit demand follows the legal climate. For gun owners now, the right move is simple. Keep your permit current. Follow the court challenges to the 2022 law. Track the 2027 candidates. A politician's promise to run for governor is not a policy, so judge Bergen by what he does on carry in the Assembly over the next two years.
