Lakewood jewish federation director endorses ben giovine for toms river mayor — Campaign photo of Andy Kim, Rhetta Jackson Fair and Ben Giovine. Campaign photo by Jackson Rhetta Fair

LAKEWOOD, NJ – Toms River mayoral candidate Ben Giovine secured significant funding in his campaign, totaling one-third of his contributions by Sharron Greenberg, a director at the Lakewood-based Jewish Federation of Ocean County.

Giovine received $5,200 from Greenberg, one of the most significant donations in his $15,000 political campaign coffer. He also received a $5,200 check from his boss, radical, progressive Congressman Andy Kim.

What is more telling about recent financial campaign records filed by Giovine is not who gave him money but who did not. Giovine has essentially been shunned by the Democrat funding machine, reportedly over his past and the past of his running make Rhetta Jackson-Fair.

Sources within regional Democrat party circles have told Shore News Network that big Democrat donors won’t open their wallets to Giovine for two reasons.

First, they know the odds of his victory are slim to none against his opponent, Dan Rodrick. Second, donors have been gunshy with Giovine over his past conduct and that of his running mate, who has an extensive criminal history.

“They all told Ben not to run, that he wouldn’t have the support,” the Democrat party insider told Shore News Network. “We all tried to talk him out of it, but somebody in town told him it was a good idea, and he picked candidates that weren’t properly vetted; then we found out he even hid his drunk driving arrest from us, and the public when he was a school board member. It will be hard for Ben to raise money outside of friends and family.”

Rodrick has raised a significant amount more money for his campaign over Givione, and what’s telling about Rodrick’s fundraising is that he has united the once-split Ocean County Republican party behind him. He has also received support from individuals across the political spectrum, spelling bad news for Giovine on Election Day.

Giovine’s major play during the campaign has been courting the Orthodox Jewish bloc vote. To date, the Toms River Jewish Community Council has not made an endorsement. The council acknowledged a meeting with Giovine in September.

It is uncertain if the council would endorse it, but insiders say Givoine’s progressiveness and far-left leanings are counter to the principles of their faith.

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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