We at The Englewood Report have been entertained by the furor among Bergen County Democrats last week, as reported in The Record and elsewhere, caused by the entrance of well-regarded Camden County Congressman Rob Andrews to the Senatorial Primary. Incumbent Senator Frank Lautenberg, although 84 years old and presumably vulnerable because of his age, had been unopposed until Andrews’ announcement. Bergen County Democratic boss Joe Ferriero, no lover of Lautenberg, scented an opportunity to ingratiate himself with a rising star in the Party, and seriously considered reversing his previous endorsement of the Senator. Enter Ninth District Congressman Steve Rothman, who has his own eye on Lautenberg’s seat but is willing to wait. Rothman informed Ferriero that, if the boss backed Andrews, Rothman would back anti-Ferriero candidates at every level from Freeholder down to local county committee, and potentially break Ferriero’s domination. Ferriero has now backed down and renewed his support for Lautenberg.

An amusing sidelight is that, while Ferriero was still weighing his options, Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes volunteered to enter the Primary to be listed on the ballot under Andrews as a candidate for Rothman’s Congressional seat. Wildes’ aspiration to move into the big leagues politically has been palpable for some time. He has allied himself with Ferriero in an effort to further his career, but it is not clear that their objectives are compatible. There are voters in Englewood who would be happy for him to move on and out, but they shouldn’t hold their breath.