ASBURY PARK – Despite Democratic Party misgivings about gender, it’s too much – the political weight of hammers and hard hats behind Mercer County Freeholder Anthony Verrelli of the Hopewell Valley, who will succeed Assemblywoman Liz Muoio (D-15) on the strength of a deal.

The source in the Wonder Bar glowed with Rastafarian deviousness as he uncorked the dynamics of the plan to InsiderNJ.

Yes, committee members worry about the appearance of all-male Mercer representation in the Assembly in LD14, LD15 and LD16. But Mercer can, after all, claim Senator Shirley Turner (D-15) and Senator Linda Greenstein (D-14).

Still – too many white males in the lower chamber create enduring pushback.

Ok, the source insisted, they get it – but they need Tony.

So they’ll get him, the source added, in exchange for the new chair of the Mercer County Democratic Committee (local Chair Bob Dorio?) coming out of Ewing and – and here’s the real rub of the deal – frocking Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-15) in judges robes sooner rather than later.

“This term,” the source said.

Then Gusciora’s replacement would come out of Trenton – a woman, probably African American – someone like Councilwoman Phyllis Holly Ward or – and this is more likely – a name supplied by Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson.

Verrelli now.

But only with the promise of a Trenton woman shortly.

Deal done by the weekend.

The source gave a take-it-to-the-bank wink before getting devoured in bar throb.