U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2) and South Jersey Democrats for years played a friendly game of footsy, with steady Building Trades support the proffered plum for the ever-appreciative LoBo.

But LoBiondo’s public endorsement this week of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)-backed Fran Grenier in the LD3 contest infuriated the allies of Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3), who are trying to out-dogfight Grenier.

Retired teacher Tanzie Younglood is already a declared LoBo opponent, but could 2018 be the year state Senator (and fierce Sweeney pal) Jeff Van Drew (D-1) finally takes a shot at LoBiondo?

“Running for Senate this year,” Van Drew told InsiderNJ.

But Van Drew buzz has already started to emanate out of Sweeney World, with payback designs firmly at the center of the conversation.