EDITOR'S NOTE - Here are some periodic mutterings as the political class heads to Atlantic City for the League of Municipalities Convention.

So, here we go again with Andy Kim and Phil Murphy on opposite sides.

A year or so ago, Kim upset the Democratic establishment by not kowtowing to the idea of First Lady Tammy Murphy replacing Bob Menendez in the U.S. Senate. We all know how that turned out.

Now, the stakes are a bit lower - Congress - but the political lines are the same.

The governor is endorsing Brendan Gill for the CD-11 seat soon-to-be-vacated by Mikie Sherrill.

Kim is backing Tom Malinowski for the seat in a district that includes parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

Both these moves seem logical.

Gill has strong support in Essex, as seen by the many elected officials - and ordinary citizens - who braved a cold rain last week to speak at his campaign kickoff. It's no surprise Murphy wants to go along with the Essex Democrats.

As for Kim, he is endorsing a one-time House colleague and also a man who is not necessarily an establishment figure. After all, it was the Democrats' congressional map after the 2020 Census that hastened Malinowski's defeat by making CD-7 more Republican. Kim, of course, had his own battles with the Democratic establishment.

The governor's endorsement of Gill comes a few days after reports circulated that Tahesha Way, the lieutenant governor, was about to enter the CD-11 race.

Might that still happen?

If it does, it would seem odd that Murphy is not endorsing his lieutenant governor for Congress. Team Murphy said he made the decision to back Gill before reports surfaced about Way contemplating a run.

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The name of Rosemary Becchi is making the rounds as possibly the next chair of the state Republican Party.

Back in 2020, Becchi ran a credible campaign against Sherrill in CD-11.

She also founded Jersey 1st, with the "mission of educating and serving the hard-working people of NJ by advocating for responsible policies that will make New Jersey a better state to work, learn, live, and retire. We strive to raise awareness of the social and economic effects of being overtaxed, over-regulated and the misuse of our state’s resources. Jersey 1st supports policies, laws, and organizations committed to breaking this cycle and driving New Jersey toward a better future."

Regarding the state's Republican Party - now reeling after the latest election - she said recently on social media:

"I have been saying it since BEFORE last week’s election: Republicans MUST be laser-focus on AFFORDABILITY. Show Americans they’re the priority. Speak their language. Deliver REAL progress.
No more talk - time to ACT."

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It was a bad election for former governors.

Andrew Cuomo lost in New York City, and in Jersey City, Jim McGreevey came in second to James Solomon.

McGreevey, at least, is getting a second chance in a Dec. 2 runoff election.

A recent poll, albeit by Solomon's campaign, has McGreevey far behind.

Undaunted by that,  McGreevey held a spirited rally the other night in which he and his backers talked about fairness and equity for all.

He set the tone by asking the crowd:

"Are we ready to rumble?"

Is this a boxing match or a campaign?