It's official. Bob Yudin is running for the BCRO chairmanship. Yudin called Inside Bergen's own Steve Morris at approximately 9:30 this morning to formally announce his candidacy.

Here's what Bob had to say:

"I'm running to become the next chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization for a variety of reasons including Rob Ortiz's improper actions relative to the US Senate race. "

"I firmly believe that the chairman is obligated to support the choice of the county committee and Republican elected officials. In this case members of the organization enthusiastically supported State Senator Joe Pennacchio for US Senate. Rob Ortiz should have honored that decision. He did not.

"Instead Ortiz decided to do an end run around the wishes of his own party by encouraging his friend Andy Unanue to challenge Pennacchio. Ortiz even campaigned for Unanue, traveling to conventions in Ocean and Somerset counties on his behalf.

"By doing so Ortiz, acted as a rogue operator seeking to undermine the value of the BCRO's decision. Why bother holding a policy committee vote or even a county committee vote, if the chairman is going to disregard the results?

"By doing this, Ortiz told the county committee that they are meaningless.

"If elected, I will fully support the convention choices and will do everything in my power to elect them in the June primary.

"I look forward to a spirited debate with Chairman Ortiz on this issue and more. Onward to victory!