PARAMUS – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) sauntered up the drive here at IBEW HQ into the bowels of a special convention to fill the vacancy crated by the sudden career plug pull by Bergen County Sheriff Mike Saudino.

Robert Kugler, chief of police of Saddle River, was going up against Anthony Cureton, NAACP local chapter head and a retired career law enforcement man.

Or so it appeared.

Bergen County Democratic Committee Chairman Lou Stellato appeared inside to greet Pascrell, who’s already endorsed Cureton, the favorite to run against Republican Jack DeLorenzo.

They looked to be ready to start any minute.

Hackensack nominated Cureton right away.

Seconded.

No one else stepped forward to offer Kugler’s name.

Stellato explained.

“We have given more than ample time. A name was offered and seconded. I asked four times. No one said anything. I don’t know what else I can tell you.”