As a special multi-county Republican convention to select Alex DeCroce's replacement approaches, the widow of the late assemblyman is receiving many endorsements from the party.

Betty Lou DeCroce announced on Friday that she has received the support of a long list of NJ legislators and officials. One of those endorsing her for the District 26 Assembly seat is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, who represents the 11th congressional district.

"Betty Lou will be a champion for New Jersey taxpayers and a strong voice for small business owners throughout the state,” Frelinghuysen said in a release. “No one will ever truly replace Alex DeCroce, but I am confident that Betty Lou will be a dynamic Member of the General Assembly in her own right and serve her constituents with honesty and integrity.”

Another leader throwing his support to DeCroce is Parsippany Mayor James Barberio.

"Betty Lou has the experience and ability to be an outstanding Assemblyperson," he said in a release. "She served Parsippany-Troy Hills as a member of the Board of Adjustment, County Committee representative and manager of local campaigns. ... I also feel a sense of pride that Alex’s seat will continue to be represented by a Parsippany resident with strong and long standing roots in our community.

Barberio said he and his wife, Brenda, who both sit on the Republican Committee, will cast their votes for DeCroce.

Betty Lou DeCroce has also received support from all of the state legislators in the following districts: 21, 24, 25, 26 and 40. She also has endorsements from many municipal and county officials, including six freeholders.

She is the current deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. In the past, she has served in a number of elected and appointed positions, including as Roxbury's municipal clerk. She also is a Realtor with ERA Gallo & DeCroce Inc., as was her husband.

Also seeking the seat is Larry Casha, a Republican committeeman and former council member from Kinnelon. Casha formally announced his candidacy Thursday. In doing so, he outlined his priorities, which he said were revitalizing the economy, reducing state mandates, installing 10-year term limits, and ending multiple pensions.

Casha has served as executive director and finance chair of the Morris County Republican Committee, a Republican State committee member and chairman of the Kinnelon Republican Committee. He and his wife, Debra Eckert Casha, own Casha Real Estate, LLC and Casha & Cashalaw offices in Montville.

Casha and Betty Lou DeCroce are the only two candidates to publicly announce their bids.

A special multi-county Republican convention will be held this upcoming Wednesday night at the Zeris Inn in Mountain Lakes for the purpose of choosing a replacement for Alex DeCroce, who collapsed and died at the Statehouse on Jan. 9 just after the end of the legislative session.