Lakewood Vaad endorses Jack Ciattarelli for governor – New Jersey Globe

As expected, the Lakewood Vaad tonight endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor, giving him the support of enormously influential religious leaders from the Orthodox Jewish community as he seeks to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy in the November 4 general election.

“Ciattarelli has been clear with our leadership that he understands and shares our community’s values and concerns – including ensuring our children continue to get busing and services, ensuring New Jersey residents can get benefits from federal tuition assistance, addressing the urgent infrastructure needs of our roads and electric power grid, and addressing state policy issues and funding priorities that affect the tax burden of our residents,” the Vaad said in a letter that is being hand-delivered to every residence in the township.

Endorsements also went to Assemblymen Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) and Sean Kean (R-Wall) in the 30th legislative district and Republican candidates in Ocean County, including Sam Ellengogen, who would become the first Orthodox Jew to serve as a county commissioner.

If Ciattarelli has a path to win the governorship, it could be through high voter turnout among Orthodox Jewish voters in the Lakewood area and across the state.

Donald Trump carried Lakewood with 88% of the vote last year and a margin of roughly 32,000 votes.

In 2021, the Lakewood Vaad endorsed Murphy, but Ciattarelli won the township by about 4,700 votes, roughly 62%.  Lakewood’s population is exploding: it’s grown from 52,000 voters in 2021 to around 64,000 right now—a 23% increase in voters in just four years.

Four municipalities that border Lakewood – Jackson, Manchester, Toms River, and Wall – have another 16,000 Orthodox Jewish voters.

The Lakewood Vaad also voiced its appreciation to Trump “for his extraordinary efforts to benefit our Mosdos and support of the safety of Yidden in Eretz Yisroel.”

“For his friendship to our community, and for his efforts to expose and fight anti-Semitism in our country, we remain forever thankful to him,” the Vaad letter stated.

The organization also praised Sherrill’s military service and her support of the social safety net, which includes some programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that could lose funding during the federal government shutdown.

The Lakewood Scoop first reported the upcoming endorsement last week.