At least four Republicans want to replace Heather Darling as a Morris County freeholder. Darling is now the county’s new surrogate.

The latest to step forward is Christian Barranco of Jefferson.

In a letter to county GOP leaders, Barranco acknowledges that New Jersey can be a tough place for Republicans, but that, “I have never wavered or let-up in the pursuit of what we, as Republicans, hold dear.”

Last spring, Barranco considered a challenge to Republican incumbents BettyLou DeCroce and Jay Webber in the 26th District, but opted against it.

An electrician by trade, Barranco founded – with an obvious eye to history – the New Jersey Rough Riders Society, a group he describes as Republicanism for the working man.

Others interested in the freeholder seat, which will be filled at an upcoming convention of GOP county committee members, are Alison Debb of Morristown, Melissa Florance-Lynch of Pequannock and Tayfun Selen of Chatham Township.

Deeb just left the Morristown council after losing her seat last November. She more recently ran unsuccessfully for an open District 25 Assembly seat at a November convention.

In a letter announcing her intent, Deeb said, “I like to think about ways to improve government, am uniquely qualified as a program manager and consultant and can develop creative and innovative solutions to the same old problems.”

A realtor, Florance-Lynch now sits on the Pequannock Township Council.

“I’m proud to say that I’ve balanced the need for supporting community programs and resources for residents, while holding the municipal tax rate to an increase of less than three-quarters of one percent on my nine-year watch,” she said in her letter of interest.

Selen was mayor of Chatham Township, but lost a reelection bid in last June’s primary.

For weeks, John Cesaro of Parsippany, a former freeholder, was expected to run at the convention. But now that Cesaro has been implicated in a bribery scheme, that seems unlikely

As of Thursday morning, there is no date yet for the convention, but it is expected to take place in late January or early February.