When Rob Ortiz assumed the chairmanship of the Bergen County Republican Organization five months ago, he made it clear in his inaugural speech not to expect any miracles. And it would indeed take a miracle to bring unity to the organization so quickly, which today seems to remain almost as fractious as when he took over.

Already, two potential challengers to Ortiz come June appear on the horizon: former Bergen County Utilities Authority Chairman Ben Focarino, an old hand in the BCRO who ran against Ortiz in July, and former freeholder candidate Bob Yudin.

So far, Ortiz has touted some municipal victories, particularly in Rutherford, as evidence that the party is clawing its way back to relevance against the dominant Bergen County Democrats. But many Bergen County Republicans who agreed to put aside loyalties and give Ortiz a chance to revive the party have already started making noise about the glacial pace of progress, and are disappointed that Ortiz – who largely ran on his fundraising abilities – has yet to bring the party out of debt, which stands at a better-than-expected $38,000 (a number discovered after an audit commissioned by Ortiz).

Eighteen-year-old Matt Mowers has not yet started his second semester at Rutgers, but he’s about to begin a job as Executive Director of the Bergen County Republican Organization.

Mowers, who managed state Sen. Gerald Cardinale’s reelection campaign, will begin work on Wednesday, making him by far the youngest executive director in the state. He’ll do that while remaining a full-time student.

Congratulations to Bergen County Republican Chairman Rob Ortiz and his wife, Dr. Leah Napolitano Ortiz, on the birth of their son, Nicholas Robert Ortiz. The fourth Ortiz child was born at 6:37 AM this morning and weighed in at 7 lbs., 7 oz.

And former Oakland Councilman Matthew

In response to rumors that Bob Yudin will challenge Rob Ortiz for Bergen County Republican Chairman, Bergen GOP spokesman Thom Ammirato issued this statement:

As the dust settles in Bergen County and the political parties spin the election results, you can expect to hear the Republicans talking a lot about Rutherford.

It’s where Republican challenger John Hipp trampled Democratic incumbent Mayor Bernadette McPherson -- beating her by a margin of 2-1, and tying the council 3-3, with two Republican candidates ousting incumbent Democrats.

Bergen County Republican Chairman Robert Ortiz is now a lobbyist: he has joined Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, a politically active North Jersey firm, and will be Vice President of Porzio Governmental Affairs, their in-house lobbying shop.

ORTIZ V. FERRIERO

CARDINALE V. ARIYAN

on "New Jersey Now" this weekend

With just over a week until Election Day, Bergen County Republican Chairman Rob Ortiz and Bergen County Democratic Chairman Joe Ferriero, plus 39th District Republican Senator Gerald Cardinale and Democratic challenger Joe Ariyan discuss the upcoming elections on the weekly public affairs show “New Jersey Now.”

HACKENSACK, N.J. (October 23, 2007) – In response to today's announcement that members of the Lyndhurst GOP are switching parties, Bergen County Republican Chairman Rob Ortiz issued the following statement:

It's put up or shut up time for Bergen County Republican Chairman Rob Ortiz.

Insiders say that Ortiz was elected County Chairman last summer to replace Guy Talarico mainly because of his self proclaimed skills as a uber fundraiser. He boasted of raising funds for state and national candidates and of being a member of the New Jersey State Republican Committee Chairman's Club (although it turned out he hadn't paid his $1,000 initiation fee). The party faithful took Ortiz seriously, and candidates for county and local office eagerly awaited the flow of campaign funds for the first time in years. (Kathleen Donovan's primary campaign for county executive in 2006 raised more money than the county organization raised in two full years).

So far, Democrats haven’t seemed anxious to field and financially support a real challenger to Rep. E. Scott Garrett. But amongst Republicans, there’s discontent with Garrett brewing just beneath the surface of the fifth congressional district.

Some complain of Garrett’s steadfast conservative ideological commitment which has led to cast votes against bills considered no-brainers to Democrats and more moderate Republicans. Whether this is a strength or weakness is up for debate, however.