Top of the Republican Totowa totem pole fixture Peter Murphy reaffirmed Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas’ assertion that Essex and Passaic together can make a strong play to rip a congressperson away from a complacent (and organizationally mangled) Morris County.

“Essex and Passaic should play a major role in this,” Murphy told InsiderNJ.

The local boss of course favors state Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11).

She’d be his first choice for the job.

“I’m looking at this as a very interesting way to move the party forward,” said Murphy, who cited the strength of Corrado – a former Passaic County Clerk – in towns like Totowa, Little Falls, Wayne and Pompton Lakes.

“It’s not their seat,” Murphy said of Morris.