Leaders in the party on Tuesday evening are expected to replace Republican State Party Chairman Mike Lavery with the man originally intended for the seat of power: Warren County GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt.

It has proved a less than smooth path to statewide rule for the Republican leader. On June 13th, Republican Gubernatorial nominee Kim Guadagno and Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore voiced discomfort over the fact that Governor Chris Christie that same day nominated Steinhardt’s wife to the parole board. After InsiderNJ broke the story, Guadagno told reporters she worried about appearances. Close to Steinhardt, Lavery was originally going to be the attorney for Steinhardt when the Warren GOP chairman became state party chair. But he stepped in and instead took the chairmanship.

Now it’s Steinhardt’s turn.

An attorney, Steinhardt is a partner in the politically connected firm of Florio Perrucci Steinhardt and Fader. His name was kicked around earlier this year as a possible successor to Paul Fishman in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“My vision for the party is to try to reach out to every section of the state, no matter which part of the state you’re from, and to do the best I can,” Steinhardt told InsiderNJ in June when it looked like he was on his way to getting the job. “My first challenge is going to be trying to get everyone on the same page. So far the response from other chairs has been very positive. I have 13 years as a chair  and rapport with people around the state. My first goal is to reach out to everybody.”

Now, nearly six months later, it appears he will have his chance.