The Lakewood Vaad has released a public endorsement urging Orthodox Jewish voters to participate in the upcoming June 10 primary elections — and to do so decisively.
While the Vaad typically refrains from engaging in primary contests, a newly released letter declares that this year is “different,” calling the outcome of the governor’s race “CRUCIAL” to the future of the kehilla.
“Your vote is important and essential,” the notice begins, emphasizing that the governor holds the most powerful office in New Jersey and sets policies that directly impact the Orthodox community.
The Vaad, with the backing of Lakewood’s Roshei Yeshiva, is urging:
- Democratic and Unaffiliated voters to cast their ballot for Josh Gottheimer
- Republican voters to vote for Jack Ciattarelli
The endorsement notes that New Jersey’s volatile political landscape demands strong representation on both party lines. “It is URGENT that we get the most favorable candidates on BOTH party lines to put the Kehilla in the most favorable position for the General Election in November,” the letter states.
Also highlighted is the Vaad’s commitment to unity and guidance from Gedolim. “Achdus and Hakaras Hatov have always been our guiding Mesorah,” the Vaad writes, explaining that their endorsements are shaped through consultation with Daas Torah and feedback from the broader Lakewood tzibbur.
The notice also includes important reminders about New Jersey’s semi-closed primary system:
- Republicans may only vote in the Republican primary
- Democrats may only vote in the Democratic primary
- Unaffiliated voters may choose either party’s primary to vote in — but must declare their choice at the polls
Early in-person voting is already beginning, and vote-by-mail ballots are in circulation. The Vaad is urging the kehilla to show up in strong numbers, warning that gubernatorial primaries “hold substantial weight” in determining future policy decisions that affect everything from yeshivos and zoning to healthcare and public safety.
“This is about more than politics,” the Vaad concludes. “It’s about ensuring that candidates who understand and support our community’s needs advance to the general election.”
All of this doeant matter….
Who will they endorse in the general election?
Do we even need to ask?
I’m sorry but after looking through gotheimer’s record as well as what he stands for, he is going to be no good for New Jersey. There is no chance on the normal circumstances that he will be good for New Jersey. Might he be better than Murphy, that’s a possibility because you can’t be much worse maybe. But is he going to be good for New Jersey, the answer is probably not!
We need a strong Republican or at this point, any Republican whose name is not Chris Christie.
This has sealed it for me. I am voting for Spadea. I always do the opposite of the Vaad.
Sefiras Ha Omer Yom Lyla 38
Gotheimer is against school vouchers
Why should unaffiliated voters vote democrat? They can vote in the republican primary!!! Sounds like phoney openness to a republican candidate and then they will screw us over with another Dem comes November. #NoMoreShnell
Sorry, I don’t trust Jack. Guy only showed up last year on election day and we never saw him till recently. He also refuses to go onto NJ’s largest radio station and answer questions from callers unlike the other candidates. I just feel he’s another politician who has already lost 2 times running and that’s his life. I already voted for Spadea since I actually know his positions after listening to him for years.