Whoever survives the Democratic Primary showdown between U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell in the 9^th District may have to contend with a rabbi if Shmuel (Shmuley) Boteach has his way.

The Englewood rabbi/author told the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO) before the organization’s filing deadline last night that he wants to be the party’s nominee for Congress and accordingly submitted his name.

Boteach isn’t the only one interested in going up against the winner of Pascrell v. Rothman.

Blase Billack of Saddle River, an associate professor of pharmacology at St. John’s University, and Bruce Wrede of Saddle River, senior technician at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, also submitted their names in search of the nomination.