Randolph is by all accounts one of Morris County’s premier towns.

A wealthy locale in the heart of the county, Randolph long has been known for good schools, efficient government and an involved citizenry.

This year you can add vibrant politics to the mix.

Four Democrats are seeking council seats this fall. And if all four win, Democrats will control the seven-member council in this normally Republican town.

But before we get there, GOP voters must wade through a contested primary.

Council members Mark Forstenhausler and Jim Loveys are running again.

Also on the team because of two retirements are candidates Marie Potter and Lou Nisivoccia.

The wild card is Roman Hirniak, a one-time councilman, who gave up his seat two years ago to run – unsuccessfully as it turned out – for county freeholder. He is running on his own this year for a council nomination.

Party fights are rare in Randolph where council members delight in saying nice things about each other. The annual reorganization meeting often resembles a mutual admiration society.

Hirniak seemed to have that in mind when he used his talk to the township’s Republican club Wednesday night to extol not only his candidacy, but the virtues of contested primaries.

“Primaries are great for party voters,” he said.

The point is well taken. Contested primaries regardless of party drum up interest and get more people involved in the process. How can that be bad?

To buttress that point, Hirniak noted that this year, Randolph Republicans also have contested primaries for Congress in the 11^th District and for freeholder.

It was an interesting take.

Also thought provoking were Hirniak’s campaign signs sitting in the corner of the room awaiting pick-up by supporters.

They urged voters to “re-elect” Hirniak.

But Hirniak is not in office at the moment. How can he be re-elected to anything?

Hirniak explained that he is seeking “re-election” to an office he once held.

That’s an innovative take.