There’s nothing like a little foreign intrigue to spice up a race for Congress.

Tayfun Selen’s Turkish background is suddenly an issue in the Republican primary in CD-11.

Selen talks often about immigrating from Turkey and getting a job pumping gas. Now, about three decades later, he’s a Morris County Commissioner and a candidate for Congress. Selen has the endorsement of both the Morris and Essex county Republican organizations.

One of his opponents, Paul DeGroot, is now raising questions not specifically about Selen’s Turkish background, but the financial support he’s getting from Turkish groups and individuals.

Two mailers last week claimed that Selen is getting support from groups that deny the Armenian genocide, which occurred during World War I. The United States officially recognized the genocide as such last year.

DeGroot also raises a more contemporary issue – Turkey’s misgivings about Sweden and Finland joining NATO, which is supported by the United States.

The apparent point here is that Selen’s loyalties may lie with Turkey not the United States. In fact, in an email last week, DeGroot said Selen would be better off running for election in Turkey than the United States.

Clearly, the race is becoming more spirited – if that’s the right word – as the June 7 primary nears.

Selen is not happy with DeGroot.

He says in a recent Facebook post that the attacks on his ethnicity have spiraled beyond expected mudslinging.

In one part of his response, Selen says the following:

“Yes, Mr. DeGroot , I have supporters who may have funny names like me, who support my campaign, and are, in fact, Americans too. Your social media attacks on them say more about you than me.”

DeGroot has the backing of Passaic County Republicans, but most of the district is in Morris and Essex counties. That makes Selen – on paper at least –  the frontrunner.

Which probably explains DeGroot’s tactics.