Overview

Robert J. Bergen is a municipal attorney and longtime Democratic officeholder in Keyport, a borough of approximately 7,000 residents in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He has served the community in elected capacity for approximately two decades, including a term as Mayor and multiple terms on the Borough Council.

Bergen was elected Mayor of Keyport on November 7, 2006, defeating Republican Harry Aumack in a contest shaped by the corruption scandal of incumbent Mayor John J. Merla, who had pled guilty to federal bribery charges earlier that year. Bergen assumed office on January 1, 2007, and served as Mayor through at least 2010, when he presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Keyport Waterfront Revitalization project. The waterfront initiative represented a major municipal investment in the borough's economic development and public infrastructure.

After his mayoral tenure, Bergen continued in public service as a member of the Keyport Borough Council. He works professionally as a municipal attorney in Middlesex County, bringing legal expertise to his legislative role. As a councilman, he has focused on fiscal oversight, public safety administration, and downtown development planning.

Bergen has been a vocal critic of the Republican administration that succeeded his mayoral tenure. During his 2024 council campaign, he cited concerns about haphazard development in the downtown business district, referencing a 2024 construction incident that caused partial building collapse and displaced neighboring businesses. He has advocated for a unified redevelopment plan with consistent building standards rather than property-by-property development.

As of 2026, Bergen serves on multiple council committees including Finance and Grants, Police, and Recycling. He holds a Class 3 appointment to the Keyport Planning Board. He is running for re-election to the Borough Council in 2026 on a Democratic slate with mayoral candidate Kathleen McNamara and council candidate Danielle Mastropiero.

Political Career

Borough Councilman, Keyport (2021–present); current term; re-elected 2024; running for re-election 2026

Mayor, Keyport (2007–2010); elected November 7, 2006; assumed office January 1, 2007; succeeded John J. Merla

Borough Council service (prior to 2021; exact dates not publicly specified)

Key Policy Areas

Downtown redevelopment and unified development planning

Municipal fiscal oversight and budget management

Public safety and police administration

Waterfront and economic development

Building standards and construction oversight

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Presided over Keyport Waterfront Revitalization ribbon-cutting as Mayor (May 2010)

Criticized Republican administration's handling of downtown development following 2024 construction collapse incident

Advocated for comprehensive redevelopment plan to replace property-by-property development approach

Served as municipal attorney bringing legal expertise to council governance

Assigned to Police Committee and Planning Board, influencing public safety and land use policy

Education

J.D. (Juris Doctor); institution not publicly specified

Personal

Birth date: Not publicly available

Residence: Keyport, New Jersey

Profession: Municipal attorney, Middlesex County

Email: rbergen@keyportonline.com