Passaic County Freeholder John Bartlett this afternoon digested the news of Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark backing Mikie Sherrill for Congress - and took it in stride.

Bartlett wants to be the Democrat who faces U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) in next year's election. But fellow Passaic Democrat Keazmark sees it differently.

“Today's news helps clarify the path forward in this important race to defeat Congressman Frelinghuysen, whose right-wing positions and vindictive behavior towards constituents put him out-of-step with our District's values," Bartlett said in a statement.

“As the candidate who's run and won tough elections, who's defeated a Republican incumbent, and who has a record of results in elected office, I look forward to continuing my conversations with residents across the 11th Congressional District in the weeks and months ahead,” said the declared CD11 candidate.