TOMS RIVER, NJ – Democrat Toms River mayoral candidate Ben Giovine is seeking the endorsement of Jewish community leaders in Toms River. Giovine, the regional director for Democrat Congressman Andy Kim has reportedly sought the Toms River Jewish Community Council’s official endorsement in November.
Giovine is running against Toms River Councilman Dan Rodrick. Giovine and his boss, Congressman Kim have been vocal opponents against Rodrick’s political messaging that included stopping overdevelopment and high-density apartment towers in Downtown Toms River.
The Toms River Jewish Community Council (TRJCC) which endorsed Rodrick’s opponent, Geri Ambrosio in the June election has not announced an official endorsement in the November election.
Giovine has been pushing hard, meeting with Jewish community leaders to secure the bloc vote, which many political insiders think can help him close the wide gap between himself and Rodrick.
Jewish leaders in the past have been upset with Rodrick, but whether or not they will endorse a radical progressive liberal who supports values contradictory to their own religious beliefs is unknown at this time.
In successive elections for Governor, while Jewish community leaders endorsed Governor Phil Murphy, voters on the ground rejected that call and did not overwhelmingly endorse the incumbent Governor when he received roughly 50% of votes in Lakewood, falling far below projections.
Rodrick said voters in Toms River would likely reject Giovine. As a school board member, Rodrick noted that school taxes increased every year Giovine and his team served on the board, even as he served as President.
He also noted that Giovine, the former President of the Toms River Democrat Club endorsed former councilmembers Terrance Turnbach and Laurie Huryk, both reportedly involved in Giovine’s campaign for mayor. While in office, Turnbach and Huryk championed Mo Hill’s 10-story twin tower project, high-density development and censured Rodrick multiple times for being the odd man out in the Toms River political elite’s vision of Toms River being a major city.