Savvy or Political Suicide in Monmouth County

Monmouth County Democrats will be electing a new chairman this June. Vic Scudiery will be retiring after many years of awesome service to the Democrats of this county. He was a much loved and much respected chairman who did good things for this county.
Now two men are looking to replace him, Vin Gopal and Frank LaRocca. Both good candidates but that's not why I'm blogging today. (I'm sure we'll get to that closer to election time.)
Lavan and Shea, running for Freeholder and Steinhorn running for County Clerk have come out and publicly endorsed Mr. LaRocca. Now on a political standpoint I fear this will backfire. Will people believe these guys are now in LaRocca's pocket or that LaRocca is trying to buy votes for the chairman's race by throwing money at the candidates?
And what happens if the other guy wins?
If Lavan, Shea or Steinhorn ever want to run for office again would the powers that be remember this ploy and maybe choose not to run them for office?
Personally, if I were a candidate in Monmouth County right now I'd remain neutral and simply offer my best wishes to both chairman candidates.
So? Was coming out to endorse someone for Monmouth County Chairman a savvy move or political suicide for these three guys? Did they put money before strategy?
I can only wonder why....