TEANECK – As Democrats party in Chicago, Republicans rolled into this largely liberal town Tuesday night for a little shindig of their own.

This was a “town hall” organized by 2025 gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. The focus, however, was not next year, but 2024.

Curtis Bashaw, the GOP Senate candidate, was there, as was Mary Jo Guinchard, the Republican candidate in CD-5.

The Knights of Columbus Hall was packed with more than 100 people, an impressive turnout in a town that Joe Biden carried four years ago by about 10,000 votes.

Ciattarelli came with some uplifting data.

“People have had it, more and more people are registering Republican,” he said.

He noted that when he ran for governor in 2021, Democrats had about a 1.1 million voter advantage on the registration rolls. Now it’s down to a bit more than 900,000.

That’s still a pretty healthy lead for the Dems, but it’s closer than it was. Ciattarelli likes to say that New Jersey is a “purple” state, but at this point that seems wishful thinking.

Ciattarelli also cheered the crowd by saying that “today” – Tuesday – was the last day in office for convicted Senator Bob Menendez.

Bashaw needed no reminder.

The Cape May hotel operator is trying to be the first Republican from New Jersey to be elected to the Senate in more than 50 years. His opponent is Congressman Andy Kim.

Bashaw likes to talk about his experience signing “the front part” of a payroll check, which, he says, is something Kim doesn’t understand. Bashaw mocked Kim’s statements about wanting business to pay its “fair share” of taxes, saying that shows his opponent is clueless about how business operates.

“We’re going to call him out,” Bashaw said.

But how?

Three debates have been scheduled between the Senate candidates, but Bashaw says that’s not enough. He wants three more, including one on Telemundo, a Spanish language network.

Guinchard is challenging Democratic incumbent Josh Gottheimer. On this night, speaking to supporters, she stuck to basic conservative positions. She called for closing the border and for “energy independence,” which is encapsulated by the phrase – “drill, baby, drill.”

This is a basic GOP talking point, despite data that shows the United States is producing more oil – about 13 million barrels a day – than ever before.

All three candidates on stage backed voter ID.

One woman, a newcomer to New Jersey, said she was shocked that she was not asked for ID when voting here for the first time. So shocked, in fact, that she questioned why not and admitted to causing a “scene” at her polling place. Ciattarelli found that a bit amusing, as did most people in the room.

Getting back to the overall mood, Ciattarelli urged Republicans to be optimistic. They can win elections in New Jersey.

He reminded the crowd about 2021. Not only did he almost win, but Republicans flipped many seats on all levels throughout the state. And they even beat Senate President Steve Sweeney with Ed Durr, a truck driver who famously spent very little money.

Point made.

But in 2023, Durr was beaten and Democrats reclaimed the seat.

And now, ironically, Durr is also running for governor in 2025.