Against a developing backdrop of intrigue around the CD11 seat, state Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) of Passaic County is “thinking about it,” a source told InsiderNJ when asked about the senator’s interest in the seat.

Essex and Passaic together form about 40-45% of the district, and the GOP power brokers in the two towns have a close relationship that catapulted Corrado to the senate seat last year.

Sussex has five towns.

Morris has the rest.

The Republican Mayor of Wayne is also said to be sizing a run.

What it all adds up is that despite animated maneuvers in Morris by interested parties in the wake of U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen’s (R-11) announcement that he won’t pursue reelection this year, Essex and Passaic refuse to be stepped over, according to the chair in one of those two counties.

“As much as Morris County would like to think they’re in the driver seat, the fact that they don’t have a line and we do, it’s not their bus to drive anymore,” said Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas. “It’s not Morris’ seat.”

The Passaic and Essex wings want to cement sooner rather than later – likely behind Corrado, if she decides to run –  in the event Morris runs two candidates and cannibalizes itself.