Bergen County Republicans have been seemingly lost for the last few years.

Once the dominant party in one of New Jersey’s premier counties, the Bergen GOP now must confront a sobering reality. Democrats hold all elected positions in county government, including the executive and all commission, (freeholder) seats.

But there was some hope on the horizon.

Many Bergen Republicans convened last Saturday at a Korean barbecue restaurant in Fort Lee in what was a pep rally of sorts. Jack Ciattarelli, the presumed GOP gubernatorial candidate, was the star, but legislative and county candidates were also in the house, including sheriff’s candidate Robert Kugler, who is also police chief in Saddle Brook.

One source said things are looking up for Republicans in Bergen.

There is, Republicans hope, some Murphy fatigue.

Phil Murphy’s poll numbers at the moment are pretty good, but Republicans think they will fall as pandemic restrictions continue to hurt the state’s economy. And they think the governor also has problems with nursing home deaths and more recently, legislation that bans police from informing the parents of minors caught drinking or smoking pot. That provision likely will be changed, but Republicans will do their best to get people to remember it was there in the first place.

Then, there’s Donald Trump. Few would acknowledge this publicly, but Trump’s removal from the White House can help Republicans this fall. No longer will Democrats be able to ratchet up enthusiasm by asking their base to vote against President Trump.

But after an upbeat Saturday came Monday. And that’s when Bergen Republicans took a hard punch in the gut. And maybe one to the jaw as well.

Kugler, the likely candidate for sheriff, was charged by the state with using Saddle Brook police officers under his command to help out his private business, which is a funeral home. The state Attorney General’s Office said Kugler had on-duty officers provide escorts in their police vehicles for funeral processions emanating from the chief’s funeral home.  Kugler did not reimburse the township for the service, according to the state.

Some of those well-versed with the state’s colorful political history may cynically chuckle about all of this. After all, there’s nothing all that unique about New Jersey officials using public workers on personal projects.

Still, if you get caught, you’re in trouble.

In published stories today, the chief’s lawyer denies the accusation.

A Kugler for Sheriff Facebook page was still up this morning. The last post, which was Monday, compliments the state’s Italian-American Police Society for opposing the aforementioned marijuana law.

Nonetheless, official misconduct charges hardly look good on the resume of a man running for public office, let alone sheriff.

It’s hard to see how that can continue.