MORRIS COUNTY — In a significant development, Brian Bergen, a prominent figure known for his confrontational approach with Democratic legislative leaders during his four-year tenure in Trenton, has been appointed as the new Assembly Minority Whip.
Anticipated to be officially announced by Minority Leader John DiMaio, this appointment solidifies Bergen’s position within the Assembly GOP leadership team. Bergen, a West Point graduate and a decorated veteran with combat helicopter experience in Iraq, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
This reshuffling within the GOP caucus comes in the wake of the defeat of Minority Conference Leader Ned Thomson (R-Wall) and the retirement of Minority Budget Officer Hal Wirths (R-Wantage). The GOP caucus now stands at 28 members following the loss of six seats in the November 2023 midterm elections.
Brian Bergen, a former Denville councilman who secured an open Assembly seat in 2019, steps into the shoes of Antwan McClellan (R-Ocean City), who assumed the role of Deputy Minority Leader after Nancy Munoz decided to vacate the position in favor of becoming the ranking Republican on the Assembly Budget Committee.
Bergen has made headlines for his leadership in challenging Speaker Craig Coughlin’s mandate that required anyone entering the Assembly chambers to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test, a stance that gained prominence during the pandemic. While frequently dissenting on legislation supported by many of his GOP colleagues, Bergen’s voting patterns may undergo some adjustments as he takes on this new leadership role.
Previously, Bergen briefly contested the minority leader post, which ultimately went to Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) when he assumed a State Senate seat two years ago.
Additionally, the reshuffle includes Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) retaining his position as appropriations officer, Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Middletown) taking on the role of policy chair, and Brian Rumpf (R-Egg Harbor Township) assuming the position of parliamentarian.
Rob Clifton (R-Matawan) has been appointed as the new assistant minority leader, and Vicky Flynn has been named the new deputy minority conference leader. The lineup also includes Michele Matsikoudis (R-New Providence) and Christopher Barranco (R-Jefferson) as assistant minority conference leaders, Erik Peterson (R-Franklin) as deputy minority whip, and Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn as assistant minority whips.
