NEWARK - The wrestling around up there in North Hudson has Democratic Party insiders on edge, with some dismissing Nick Sacco's behavior as little more than local drama, part of an ongoing countywide food fight with neighbor Brian Stack.

But others express real concern over Sacco's reluctance to date to issue an endorsement of Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

There was the fact that North Bergen, Sacco' hometown, backed Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop in the primary.

But there's more.

Irritability?

Bitterness?

Sacco was, of course, the odd man out come redistricting last time, the John Girgenti of the cycle.

And now fellow Democrats - the same people who stiffed him - apparently want him, and he's naturally being coy.

Hudson County Democratic Committee Chairman Craig Guy sized up the situation earlier today outside the union hall where firefighters came together to issue an augmented endorsement of Sherrill.