Mulling his own Republican challenge in CD5, Warren County Freeholder Jason J. Sarnoski told InsiderNJ that it’s time for Steve Lonegan to stand down and allow new blood to infuse the Republican Party.

“It doesn’t change anything for me,” said the freeholder, when asked if Lonegan’s upcoming announcement, reported FIRST by InsiderNJ, alters the political landscape significantly in terms of his own plans to possibly take on U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5).

“This will be Steve’s sixth or seventh chance at a national stage,” Sarnoski said. “It’s time Steve stepped back and supported Republican candidates, good Republican candidates, instead of once again making himself the candidate.”

The GOP freeholder hasn’t reached a final conclusion about a run.

“I’m still in the exploratory stage, and I’m focused on making sure our candidates get elected this year, and making sure Kim Guadagno gets elected over [Phil] Murphy,” Sarnoski said. “Murphy is dangerous. I am getting closer to a decision. I did want to wait until after this election out of respect to those candidates now running.”