From hither and yon they raced across the swamplands of New Jersey in black SUVs with tinted plates, COVID-19 masked insiders from North Jersey and Central Jersey intent on rubbing elbows with Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small at Par 440 Restaurant and Lounge in Short Hills.

Small has had one of the most active few seasons of any politico in the state, since the corruption crack-up of his predecessor. He ran in a special election last year, primary and general, for the remainder of the disgraced former mayor’s term, then mounted his own offensive this year for a full, four-year tour of duty.

Backing him last night in a show of June 8th support, the VIP list included Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, state Senator Vin Gopal, East Orange Mayor Ted Green, Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, state Senator Joe Cryan, state Senator Joe Lagana, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Union Twp. Mayor Michele Delisfort, and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill.

Others in the room?

Mercury heavyweight Mo Butler.

Essex County Commissioner President Wayne Richardson.

2017 Gubernatorial candidate Jim Johnson.

Powerbroker Victor J. Herlinsky, Jr.

And many others.

The cocktail party bagged Small’s reelection campaign $40,000.