Sources in Bayonne say former Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell (D-31) is looking hard at a run for mayor in Bayonne next year.

A former firefighter and former tavern owner, O’Donnell left the legislature after his friend and political ally, Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith, lost the 2014 mayoral election to fellow police brass Jimmy Davis.

Now O’Donnell, a veteran political operative who ran Smith’s campaign and works for Kivvit, appears poised for a comeback.

In the meantime, another candidate has surfaced in Bayonne who wants to challenge Assemblyman Nick Chiaravallotti (D-31) and Chiaravallotti slate mate Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-31) of Bayonne.