Lakewood, NJ – As the New Jersey Republican primary for governor approaches its climax on June 10, the battle for Lakewood’s influential block vote has emerged as a pivotal factor in the heated contest between former radio host Bill Spadea and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.
With Ocean County’s substantial Republican voter base—nearly 200,000 strong—Lakewood’s tightly organized voting bloc could prove decisive in determining the GOP nominee.
Both candidates have made repeated visits to Lakewood, a township known for its significant Orthodox Jewish community and its history of delivering large, unified vote margins.
However, Spadea has aggressively courted the community’s leaders, leveraging strategic alliances to secure the coveted block vote, which has historically swayed elections in Ocean County.
Spadea’s campaign has been bolstered by the efforts of his chief consultant, Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, a political powerhouse who has deep ties in the region.
Over the past year, Gilmore has made significant inroads with Lakewood’s leadership. In a notable move, he championed Schmuel Ellenbogen, president of the Toms River Jewish Community Council, as the Republican candidate for the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
Ellenbogen’s nomination at the Ocean County GOP Convention in February, where Spadea secured a decisive 129-83 victory over Ciattarelli, underscored Gilmore’s influence and his alignment with Spadea’s campaign.
Further solidifying ties with Lakewood, Gilmore facilitated the appointments of other influential Lakewood leaders to positions within the county government.
Those moves have been seen as a strategic effort to build goodwill with Lakewood’s political and religious leaders, who wield significant influence over the township’s voting patterns.
Gilmore’s connections in Lakewood are a game-changer for Spadea.
The block vote is about trust and relationships, and Spadea’s chief consultant Gilmore has been relentless in building those bridges.
