Layton, though, also made his own opinions known about the group of diners led by Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, a champion of Guadagno who is in trouble, according to this story by Politico’s Matt Friedman.

“I write today with a profound sense of disappointment on a number of fronts,” Gaburo said through the voice of Ross. “It is no secret that many months ago we all gathered in a setting just like this in an effort to air and work through some of our differences. Many of us believed and all of us agreed at that meeting that the Association would host a forum for the announced and believed to be announced candidates for governor before the end of 2016. The purpose of that agreement was to see if a consensus could begin to take form over the best candidate and best direction for our party. Let me reinforce my earlier statement: WE ALL AGREED TO THIS.

“Really?” Gaburo wondered. ” We had the better part of 2016 to pick a date, schedule it and have our meeting. For whatever reason it didn’t happen.”

In his statement, Gaburo took time to commend both Chairman Keith Davis of Atlantic and Chairman Pat Torpey of Hunterdon.

“Neither one of them to my knowledge endorsed a candidate to date in this race,” Gaburo said. Both of them ran good and honorable conventions that are a tribute to them and their organizations. The outcome was split. Lieutenant Governor Guadagno won Atlantic and Assemblyman Ciattarelli won Hunterdon. A good and fair competition was had by all. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the frustration shared with our group by Chairman Layton of Burlington County a couple of weeks ago. I agree with Bill that we have a lot of questions to ask ourselves. I agree with Bill that this organization has lost its way and I agree with Bill that it needs to be reformed. I will do all I can in the coming weeks and months to work with those chairs who agree that we can do better, that when you give your word it needs to mean something and not just a platitude to get past a tough meeting. It’s time for a change, our party and our voters deserve no less.”

Layton himself sounded off in a statement of his own.

“the unfortunate reality is that the chairman’s organization has been duped by powers that would like to coronate a guaranteed loser as our gubernatorial nominee,” said the BurlCo chair.

“I chose to no loner participate because I believe the process should be open to all voices and that our party should nominate the candidate with the best chance to win,” he added. “I think it is particulalry telling that the group’s chosen choice for governor won’t even list her earliest and most significant backer as an endorsement because of his pending criminal charges.”

The last comment was a direct shot at Gilmore.

Arango responded to the Gaburo letter.

“The NJ Republican Chairmen Association is pleased to be united and strong looking into November building inclusive progressive agendas,” arango said. “Chairman Gaburo is part of the team; his input is always welcome. Now it is important to work hard and support Republicans throughout NJ, to stop taxes, create jobs, protect our elderly, give education choices to our children in urban communities, and create growth in our economy.”