As Hudson County Democrats prepare to decide the next chairman of the party, they’re also pawing the turf ahead of next year’s local elections in North Bergen and West New York.

Having turned back a county committee slate backed by incumbent Mayor Felix Roque, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) wants to run Commissioner Gabe Rodriguez against Roque in 2019, a source told InsiderNJ.

Rodriguez (above, right) serves as field representative and campaign finance director for the congressman; and has worked in the past for Governor James E. McGreevey, Governor Jon S. Corzine, and United States Senator Robert Menendez.

Local candidates run for commissioner seats in West New York, then decide among themselves who will serve as mayor on the other side o the election, but Rodriguez has the leg up on the seat now occupied by Roque, in Sires’ judgment, the source said.