Could a redux of 2006's intra-party fight be in the making? From what I am hearing it may be possible. Word is that Todd Caliguire is mulling over a challenge to the Donovan candidacy, if not possibly looking to recruit a candidate with stronger Republican/conservative credentials to oppose her.

While the BCRO may have anointed her on Tuesday night, there is a great deal of concern about what a County Executive Donovan would mean - both for Bergen County and the party itself. As well, there should be. Why should Bergen GOPers be satisfied with a candidate who is a big spending, tax-hiking, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-illegal immigration, pro-gun control, Democrat-supporting "Republican"?

Here are some more tidbits on Donovan's record.

• From 2001-2005, Donovan increased the clerk's budget by $1.9M - that's a 59% spike.
• In 1996, she overspent the Clerk's Office budget by $200,000.
• When she chaired the Port Authority, she authorized 1100 helicopter rides at a cost to toll payers of $2M for herself and staff. When she was asked about this she said it was "inconvenient" for her to drive or take mass transit. Public officials were quoted in The Record calling the Port Authority under Donovan a "lavish culture of waste" and having a "callous disregard for taxpayers."
• Additionally, Donovan spent $3M on 600 junkets for PA staff including trips to Hawaii and the French Riviera.
• As Assemblywoman Donovan voted to raise the gas tax and increase corporate businesses taxes; and when she was a candidate for Congress she opposed a 15% cut in the federal income tax.
• Donovan is also supportive of federal funding for abortions, partial birth abortion, and opposed to parental notification. 

To call Donovan's record troubling would be an understatement. Honestly, the more I learn about her, the more unbelievable it is to me that the Bergen GOP would even remotely consider this person as their nominee for the most important county-wide office. And then to see her exert that influence on the party if she wins.

No doubt Caliguire shares these concerns. Now, the question is, what will he do about it?

PS: If ever there were a candidacy for tea partiers to oppose, this is it.

Cross-posted at Garden State Patriot.