ATLANTIC CITY – A mob of reporters besieged Democratic State Party Chairman John Currie.

The gaggle occurred as heavy metal music poured out of speakers.

It actually proved later, to just be party members abuzz in the background.

The music, such as it was, would come later.

“Menendez…great…Democrats,” Currie said, his voice mangled by screams and guitar whines – actually, just human whines.

The speakers got in gear later, right after the gaggle.

Bergen Record diehard Charlie Stile was right up on Currie with a microphone.

It was starting to feel, look and actually maybe most importantly be packed.

It was a big ballroom, too, not a crawl space.

“I haven’t spoken to him, the chairman has been busy today, so we’ll wait and see,” Currie said in the din, InsiderNJ thought referencing embattled Bergen County Sheriff Mike Saudino, who Thursday night was dug in after making racist remarks.

Currie said Saudino should resign “for the good of the party” (see video above).

Multiple elected officials – Governor Phil Murphy among them – also expressed their opinions earlier today that Saudino should resign.

He hit on Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) reelection.

“When someone [Republican challenger Bob Hugin] spends over $15 million, you know, people watch TV,” the chairman said, when confronted by polls that show a close statewide contest. “I’m confident we’re going to reelect Bob Menendez.”

Someone shouted a question.

What was the point of the conference?

“The point is to bring the grassroots people, the unions, some of our organizations, to get them fired up to bring the victory home,” Currie said. “The people can ride the wave.”

The room filled as music pulsated.

There was Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36).

Passaic. Hudson.

Christina Zuk. Matt Doherty. Laura Matos. Jermaine James.

Currie went to the microphone.

“Folks, I want you to really enjoy yourselves,” the chairman said. “This is the largest convention we’ve had in the history of the New Jersey State Democratic Party.”