Essex County political junkies bewailing the lack of action in this year’s campaign cycle may take some solace in the wizened warrior versus young Turk implications of East Orange politics, where veteran Mayor Robert Bowser faces a challenge from businessman Kevin Taylor.

A local legend whose administration ushered in East Orange’s relative boom time in recent years, Bowser is seeking his fourth term as mayor. The low drama pal of party leaders both county and statewide, he figures to be a heavy favorite against Taylor, the self-identified owner of KETCO Construction. 

But Bowser allies anticipate with some agitation the presumptive chief challenger’s mid-month ELEC report, as sources say Taylor’s well-connected.

If there’s any early doubt about that, he was already up on television post-Christmas. 

Taylor’s failed in at least  two tries to win elected office in East Orange, once going up against Bowser directly in the 2005 mayor's race. His website now shows him trying to capitalize on some Obama energy as he poses in front of a front page picture of the president-elect.  

Former Assemblyman Willis Edwards had talked about his own designs on running for mayor, but Essex County sources say he’s now supporting Taylor.