While Hudson County GOP Chairman Jose Arango is the favorite to nab the state party chairmanship in Guadagno World, another name has surfaced as a possible consensus pick.

Warren County GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt.

Arango warred with the chairs who backed Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16), and there’s a lingering case of bad blood.

While Steinhardt quietly backed Guadagno, he maintained good relations with Somerset GOP Chairman Al Gaburo, Essex Chairman Al Barlas, and Burlington GOP Chair Bill Layton.

A veteran party leader from the most conservative region of the state, Steinhardt could prove a steady hand and a way to heal a fractured party looking at heavy lift prospects in a general election fight with Democratic nominee Phil Murphy.