The formal announcement today demonstrating considerable political support for Dan Benson’s Mercer County Executive candidacy, prompted a response from Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-14).

DeAngelo told InsiderNJ that he continues to support the reelection of veteran Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes.

He also said he intends to run for reelection to the Assembly.

He decried the composition processing of the county committee, which he said empowers to many county party chairperson superdelegates.

Most insiders – citing the support for Benson and the careful work he has done over years – point to the very difficult path Hughes has to summon the Mercer County Democratic Committee line.

Hughes is prepared to lose the convention, but to run anyway in a Democratic Primary.

Allies have also noted that he is prepared to coalesce allies into lines.

“It’s a mess,” a source wailed, anticipating the inevitability of a Benson v. Hughes war playing havoc and resulting in political casaulities.

As late as this morning, Democrats prayed for the intervention of the Murphy Administration to give something to Hughes to make the developing war disappear.

For his part, DeAngelo said he wants the backing of the organization, and as always, will seek it, but he also said he intends to support Hughes, even if they don’t end up on the same line.