Several highly placed Bergen GOP sources have confirmed that longtime BCRO activist/operative Ben Focarino has been urged to run for chairman in June's contest.

Members of Chairman Rob Ortiz's camp have approached Focarino to run for chairman in an effort to siphon votes away from Bob Yudin. 

"Ortiz could only manage about 40% of the county committee vote for re-election at this point," one source told us before adding "Focarino's voters aren't going to support Ortiz. They would likely support Yudin in a two-way race. His candidacy could split the ‘anti’ vote against Ortiz."

The embattled rookie chairman hasn't fared well since defeating Focarino and Bill Thompson in a three way contest last summer to fill the remainder of Guy Talarico's term after Talarico stepped down as chairman last June. 

Many were angered at Ortiz's inability to raise money on behalf of the organization at a time when he was committing the BCRO’s scant resources on behalf of Rudy Giuliani’s failed presidential campaign.  (Fundraising is supposedly one of Ortiz's strengths.)  

Others felt let down after it was revealed that Ortiz accepted a position at a Democratic lobbying firm.   

Ortiz placed his political tin ear on full display in the US Senate race, first by backing mystery candidate Anne Estabrook, then by recruiting playboy night club owner Andy Unanue (as Murray Sabrin spokesman George Ajjan referred to him) to run after the BCRO policy committee and full county committee voted to support State Senator "Jersey" Joe Pennacchio. 

Yudin, on the other hand, has displayed surprisingly strong levels of support since he announced his decision to run for BCRO chairman.  He has also showed himself to be rather astute by backing John McCain, instead of Rudy and sidling up to "Jersey Joe" in the contest for the GOP US Senate nomination.

What Focarino's response will be is unknown for certain at this time; however, he has indicated an interest in running to several people close to him.  There are some who believe that Focarino could win a three-way race. Unless Focarino truly thinks he can win, many wonder what Ortiz could possibly have to offer Focarino for playing the role of spoiler. 

Either way it looks like the BCRO is gearing up for yet another intra-party battle.