FLEMINGTON, N.J. U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) won the endorsement of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee for his Senate campaign on Sunday, but not before a bit of party insider hijinks threatened to derail proceedings with allegations of favoritism toward Kims chief rival, New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy .

The endorsements of county parties are highly sought after in New Jersey because of the Garden States unique insider system, where county party endorsements determine who gets the coveted ballot line in a party primary. Getting the line, as its known, means that voters see the candidates name first on the ballot an advantage for candidates among lower-information voters in particular.

Going into the Hunterdon County Democratic Committees convention vote on Sunday, Kim was the oddsmakers favorite to pick up the county partys endorsement over Murphy. Kim, Murphy, labor activist Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina and civil rights advocate Larry Hamm are all vying for the chance to unseat federally indicted Sen. Robert Menendez in New Jerseys June primary.

Before the 189 delegates present at the convention had a chance to cast their secret ballots, however, Arlene Quiones Perez, chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee, announced that any candidate who reached the 30% threshold would be able to qualify for the line. The announcement was met with loud boos from the crowds many Kim supporters.

Quiones Perez framed the decision as an effort to heed Kim, Hamm and Campos-Medinas calls to get rid of the county ballot line system altogether.

We have heard from the Senate candidates that they want an open primary, Quiones Perez said. And weve heard from a great many of you that you want the same thing.

If you meet 30%, we think that is a reasonable number, she added by way of explaining the threshold.

In fact, Kim, Campos-Medina and Hamms letter to county party chairs earlier this month called for the chairs to contact their county clerk and state legislators and request an office block ballot arrangement for all competitive elections in this primary. In other words, a ballot where no candidate gets a preferential line.