Bergen County pits last-stand Democrats against a long-beaten-down GOP organization revitalized over two cycles and ready to take overkill ownership of county government. 

As Republicans slam away at incumbent Democratic Freeholder David Ganz, branding him little more than a Ferriero fadeout, Democrats continue to harass Clerk Liz Randall, who took that seat after County Executive Kathy Donovan’s 2010 victory.

In office for nearly a decade, Ganz is running on a ticket that includes redistricted Assemblywoman Joan Voss as a fellow freeholder candidate and former Freeholder John Hogan for clerk. If they win next week they would be two minority Democrats on a 5-2 majority Republican freeholder board.

Randall runs with Freeholder candidates Joel Brizzi and Anthony Rottino, whose victories Tuesday would complete a GOP board sweep.

Delighted by their YouTube ad, which documents Randall’s wanderings on what Democrats say is county time, starting Friday they’re aiming the spot at a wider audience.

“We bought TV and radio time for that ad,” said Bergen County Democratic Committee Spokesman Adam Silverstein. “Once this Hogan commercial goes up on cable we think we will continue to be in very good shape heading into Election Day.”

Republicans this week brushed aside the ad.

“She a clerk,” said Bergen County Republican Organization Spokesman Thom Ammirato. “She doesn't have 9-5 hours; she’s on-call 24-7. If there’s a problem on Saturday morning, she’s there. She gets calls on vacation. It's not like she's punching a time clock.”

Ammirato said the real issue is Randall oversaw $109,000 in salary and wage cuts from the clerk’s office, contrasting that with Hogan’s prior record as freeholder.

“Hogan voted for $60.27 million in new borrowing  – in just two meetings!” Ammirato said.

“Thanks in part to Hogan’s free spending ways, Bergen County taxpayers now suffer under a crushing debt load which is costing  them $62 million  a year to pay off,” he added.

Democrats stayed on Randall.

“They’re trying to deflect from her work product,” Silverstein said. “This is a serious issue. We’re talking about real issues, and she's home trying to play with her dog.”  

Here is the Democrats' ad...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImqQAWUXlY8