Votes, Voices, and Burning Issues: Inside New Jersey’s High-Stakes Elections

 

Isaac Shadpour

 

All Eyes on New Jersey’s Governor’s Race as Taxes and Affordability Take Center Stage

With property taxes among the highest in the nation, electricity rates climbing, and household bills squeezing hardworking New Jerseyans, all eyes are on the upcoming gubernatorial election as November 4 approaches.

According to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton poll, Democratic candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill leads Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli 50 percent to 45 percent—a five-point edge—down from her nine-point lead in August. With a margin of error of 4.7 percent, the race is effectively a dead heat, making every vote critical.

In an unprecedented display of achdus that has drawn the attention of major national media, Lakewood’s roshei yeshivah, rabbanim, askanim, mosdos, and community organizations have joined together with their counterparts from Toms River, Jackson, Howell, and Manchester to put forth a unified message and to ensure that everyone is voting with one voice. Each town formally endorsed Ciattarelli along with local candidates, urging residents to get out and vote. A strong turnout from the community could well be the deciding factor that puts Ciattarelli in the governor’s seat.

And that message seems to have struck a chord with residents. Social media and news outlets across the country were abuzz with reports of long lines forming in Lakewood as members of the community turned out in force for early voting on Sunday. Early voting remains open through Sunday, November 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Our leaders have done their part; now it’s our turn to keep the momentum going by showing up at the polls in record numbers.

Ciattarelli’s campaign is also drawing support from several prominent Democrats who crossed party lines to endorse him. Polls show that taxes and affordability remain the top concern for voters—and Ciattarelli has been the only candidate to present a detailed plan to tackle these issues.

To help readers better understand where the candidates stand on these key concerns, The Voice reached out to both Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill with questions submitted by members of our community. While Sherrill’s team initially seemed to indicate that they would respond, repeated follow-ups by phone and email over several weeks went unanswered. Ciattarelli, however, responded promptly and candidly. Below is The Voice’s exclusive Q&A with Jack Ciattarelli.

 

Q&A with Jack Ciattarelli

 

We pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Under a Jack Ciattarelli administration, will property taxes continue to climb? Do you have a plan to lower property taxes?

As a small business owner and CPA, I’m running for Governor to make New Jersey more affordable. My plans will cut taxes across the board: for families, businesses, retirees, and young people just starting out.

I will cap property taxes to a percentage of assessed home value so that working families and young people can afford to buy a home, while expanding the senior property tax freeze.

I will reduce state spending by 30 percent, keep future budget growth to no more than the rate of inflation, and aggressively use the line-item veto pen to eliminate and prevent waste.

I will reduce the Corporation Business Tax by 1 percent per year for five years, taking it from the highest rate in the nation to one that’s competitive nationally.

I will reduce income taxes for all taxpayers, consolidate tax brackets, prohibit tax increases on home improvements, and make student loan interest tax deductible.

 

What will you do for changing the funding formula for the Lakewood school district to make the district independently fiscally viable going forward?

As Governor, I will reform the state school funding formula, set a statewide standard on per-pupil spending, and then allow that money to follow the student while instructing the State Department of Education to get off the backs of higher-performing districts while concentrating on under-performing districts.

I will coordinate the expansion of pre-K, utilizing existing private day care providers, making sure the money aligns with parent choice and student needs.

I will expand charter schools and loosen restrictions on the inter-district public school choice program to allow parents real choices in the schools their children attend, modeling it after Florida’s school voucher program.

 

In Toms River where I live, we have a similar issue with the funding formula, which has resulted in property taxes going up 9 percent last year and now another 13 percent this year. Will your solution address Toms River’s challenges as well as any other district grappling with the same issues?

Absolutely. The current formula rewards failing districts—the Newark school system has a $1.4 billion dollar budget—while screwing districts like Toms River, Jackson, Brick, and more. My plan will improve outcomes in Newark and other failing districts while making sure every district gets the funding it needs to serve every student.

 

One of the top questions I’m asked is if you will be bringing back plastic bags. Is that something you might consider?

Yes. On day one.

 

In a past interview you committed to widening Route 9 in Lakewood to ease congestion. Is this something that you’re still committed to?

Absolutely. We have to fix Route 9. It’s time.

 

Do you think it’s time to relax the blue laws and allow selling and buying cars on Sundays? How about allowing all businesses to open on Sunday in Bergen County?

I want to do everything we can to make New Jersey a better and easier place to start a business and create jobs. At the same time, I believe in home rule. What’s right for one community may not be right for another. These decisions should be made by local residents and their elected leaders.

 

How will you address the rampant antisemitism that’s taking place on college campuses in the state?

I’m honored to have built deep and personal relationships throughout New Jersey’s various and diverse Jewish communities. Late this summer, I was privileged to visit Israel again and meet with many Jewish leaders. In doing so, I have come to know the unique challenges our Jewish communities face.

As Governor, I will continue to engage with the Jewish community by:

• Appointing an Attorney General and State Police Superintendent who are intimately familiar with the various Jewish communities and their unique needs and are ready to work with the Jewish community on day one.
• Establishing an Advisory Council on Jewish Affairs.
• Enacting tough, first-in-the-nation legislation to combat antisemitism, both on college campuses and in the wider community. This legislation will be driven by the IHRA definition of Antisemitism.

I will also strengthen ties with Israel by reviving the New Jersey-Israel Commission to:

• Foster economic, scientific, educational, and cultural ties with Israel, recognizing it as one of New Jersey’s most important trading partners.
• Increase bilateral trade between New Jersey and Israel.

 

Will you consider allowing customers to pump their own gas at gas stations? Residents are saying that it’s very frustrating when the gas stations are short-staffed and they have to wait.

No.

 

Local and County Races

For the Lakewood Board of Education, only two candidates, Meir Grunhut and Shlomie Stern, are running for three open seats. They’re both endorsed by the Lakewood Vaad. As mentioned in our Sukkos edition interview with current BOE member and Fire Commissioner candidate Moshe Raitzik, the presence of four state monitors has left some board members feeling powerless. Recently, the board’s decision to reappoint Michael Inzelbuch as district attorney was overturned by a state monitor. Joshua Forsman was installed instead—highlighting the frustration Raitzik described.

In Jackson, the rabbanim and askanim have endorsed Al Couceiro for the open township council seat. Couceiro has worked with Jackson’s Jewish community in the past. As head of the township’s EMS, he has also previously worked with Hatzolah.

For Ocean County Commissioner, the united Vaad coalition of the townships in Ocean County supports Sam Ellenbogen and Ray Gormley. “Sam Ellenbogen is a native son of Lakewood and has dedicated countless volunteer hours to public service for the kehillah—building up the Toms River community and working on initiatives to benefit all of us in Lakewood,” the Lakewood Vaad said.

For County Clerk, the Vaad endorses Jack Kelly, a long-time Ocean County Commissioner. The incumbents—Assemblyman Avi Schnall, Assemblyman Sean Kean, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, and Committeeman Albert (Isaac) Akerman—also received the Vaad’s enthusiastic endorsement.

Check out our follow-up feature with Assemblyman Avi Schnall for a look at his accomplishments so far this term.

 

A Conversation with Avi Schnall: Highlights from His First Term

As Assemblyman Avi Schnall seeks re-election, The Voice sat down with him to review some of the key accomplishments of his first term in office. It’s easy to see why the Lakewood Vaad and their counterparts in Howell are officially endorsing his re-election bid. From legislation that has made our communities safer to increased state funding for Lakewood and a robust record of constituent services, Schnall outlined the initiatives he believes have made the greatest impact over the past two years.

 

Legislation that made a difference

Assemblyman Schnall’s first term has been marked by several significant pieces of legislation—each addressing urgent needs that directly affect not only the frum community but all New Jersey families.

One of his proudest achievements is the expansion of infertility care coverage under Medicaid. “Before this bill, thousands of couples struggling with infertility had no access to affordable treatment,” Schnall tells The Voice. “Working for more than a year with colleagues across both chambers, my efforts were instrumental in passing a law making New Jersey one of the few states to cover infertility treatment through Medicaid—an $8 million initiative that will provide life-changing help for countless families hoping to have children.”

Another legislative milestone came in response to a surge in vehicle thefts and home invasions across the state, including a rash of crimes that struck towns like Lakewood, Toms River, and Jackson. Law enforcement traced much of the problem to organized rings that used juveniles to steal cars, knowing the young offenders would face no serious consequences. “I authored and sponsored legislation allowing juveniles who commit such crimes to be charged as adults,” Schnall said. “The impact was immediate: car thefts dropped sharply, and residents reported a sense of safety returning to their neighborhoods.”

For many, including the author, the difference was tangible. It had become routine to check the Lakewood News Network (LNN) status and find reports of yet another break-in every Motza’ei Shabbos—sometimes just streets away. One such burglary even struck the house next door, in a neighborhood that had seen virtually no crime for years. But after Schnall’s bill took effect, that rash of incidents seemed to vanish almost overnight, restoring the peace of mind that residents had long taken for granted.

Equally important, Schnall tackled a long-standing inequity affecting non-public schools. He discovered that due to outdated state regulations, nearly $15 million in special-education funding allocated to private and religious schools was going unused every year. His legislation—which has passed both houses and awaits the governor’s signature—will finally unlock these funds, providing critical resources for reading, math, and special-needs instruction in non-public schools.

 

Bringing home the funding

While legislation sets policy, funding determines whether communities feel the difference—and here too Schnall describes how his work had a great impact on the lives of his constituents.

Historically, Lakewood received the lowest municipal aid in the state, despite its explosive population growth and heavy public-service demands. “By leveraging my position within the Assembly majority, I negotiated a $16 million increase in state aid to Lakewood over the past two years,” Schnall said. “Though property taxes remain a challenge, that infusion of funding has kept local tax bills from climbing even higher—money that otherwise would have come directly from residents’ pockets.”

Schnall also secured a long-awaited commitment to begin the long-promised Route 9 expansion—one of the region’s most pressing infrastructure needs. The project, now fully funded and in its early planning stages, will widen the roadway from the lake to John Street—an overdue improvement expected to finally ease the chronic congestion that has frustrated commuters for years at that notorious bottleneck.

And when state efforts to establish a tuition-relief program hit a political wall, Schnall didn’t stop there. He pivoted to the federal level, helping pave the way for the new Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which will take effect in 2027. Schnall notes that his ongoing role in Trenton will be critical to making sure local yeshivos can access the funds provided by the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program without bureaucratic hurdles.

 

Constituent services

Beyond bills and budgets, Schnall’s team has built one of the most active constituent-service operations in the state. His Lakewood district office has assisted more than 4,000 residents with issues ranging from Medicaid and SNAP benefits to DMV and housing-related problems.

The office has hosted a dozen in-person events—including ANCHOR property-tax workshops, DMV mobile-unit visits, and utility-assistance drives—each helping hundreds of residents cut through red tape. His staff has resolved countless cases where families were denied medical coverage or seniors missed years of ANCHOR payments; in some instances, the office even recovered retroactive refunds worth thousands of dollars for elderly homeowners on fixed incomes.

“Constituent service is the heart of what we do,” Schnall often says. “Whether it’s restoring a child’s lost Jersey Care coverage or reopening a stalled HUD application, our team treats each case as a personal mission.”

 

Lakewood’s Fire Commissioner Race Heats Up: Meet the Rest of the Candidates

Lakewood’s fire commissioner election is sparking interest across town as residents prepare to decide who will guide the Fire District’s future. Earlier this month, The Voice featured candidate Moshe Raitzik in our Sukkos edition. This time, we turn the spotlight on the other two contenders: incumbent Commissioner Larry Loigman, who has served since 2012, and Eliyahu Berger, a local business owner and volunteer firefighter bringing a fresh perspective to the race.

 

Moshe Raitzik

 

For Raitzik, the race isn’t just about winning a seat. It’s about giving residents a chance to engage in the democratic process. “The more choices people have, the more motivated they are to come out and vote,” he says. “That’s a win for the whole community, regardless of who takes the seat.”

Raitzik points to his years on Lakewood’s Planning Board and Shade Tree Commission as proof of his readiness for the role. In both capacities, he was involved in decisions that directly impacted fire safety: making sure roads were wide enough for emergency vehicles, approving hydrant placement, and rejecting building layouts that posed hazards.

“Developers think about parking and access, but they don’t always think about how a fire truck will get in and turn around,” Raitzik told The Voice. “I’ve had to send applications back to the drawing board for exactly that reason. Those experiences make me uniquely prepared to serve as Fire Commissioner.”

Raitzik is quick to praise Lakewood Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr, recently named by New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association as the 2025 Fire Chief of the Year, and the strides the department has made under his leadership. The fire department has expanded both its volunteer and career ranks, invested in new vehicles, and improved training. Last year, the Insurance Services Office bumped Lakewood’s fire safety rating from 5 to 3, putting the township among the top in the nation.

But Raitzik stresses that growth must continue. “Lakewood’s population is exploding. Traffic congestion can delay response times. We may need more stations and additional equipment to keep pace,” he says. “Safety has to remain our number one priority.”

Outside of public service, Raitzik learns in Beth Medrash Govoha in the mornings and teaches in local schools in the afternoons. He often encouraged his students to value civic engagement, bringing campaign bumper stickers and yard signs to class to spark discussion. Ironically, one of his current opponents, firefighter Eliyahu Berger, once sat in those same classrooms as a student.

“I always told my students, even if you can’t vote yet, you can still encourage others to,” says Raitzik. “So the fact that a younger person from the community is stepping up to run—whether or not he’s my opponent—tells me the message stuck. That’s a good thing for Lakewood.”

 

Challenger: Eliyahu Berger

 

“My name is Eliyahu Berger, born and raised right here in Lakewood,” begins Berger. The owner of Redline Builders, Berger runs a successful construction company known for its focus on precision, timeliness, and financial responsibility—skills he says translate directly to managing the Fire District’s multimillion-dollar budget.

Beyond business, Berger has spent the past five years serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Lakewood Fire Department. “I’ve been on the front lines as a volunteer firefighter with the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department,” he says. “I’ve seen firsthand what the department needs, from the right equipment to better support for the men and women who serve. I’m running because I believe the fire district needs a leader who understands both sides of the job: putting out fires and balancing the books.”

 

Why are you the right person for fire commissioner, and why did you decide to run?

The job of Fire Commissioner is simple: You have to make sure that our firefighters are safe and our tax dollars are spent wisely. I’m the right person because I have experience in both areas.

On the fire side: As a volunteer, I’ve been on the trucks. I know our department’s challenges. Our town is growing fast, which means more calls, and we need better tools and more volunteers.

On the money side: Running my construction company has taught me the importance of being efficient, accountable, and strict about budgets.

I decided to run because I saw a need to bridge the gap. We can’t just spend money wildly, but we also can’t risk safety by not giving the department critical equipment and training. I want to bring a common-sense business approach to the Fire District to keep Lakewood safe and keep our taxes manageable.

 

Chief Yahr was named Fire Chief of the Year. How will you help the fire department continue this great success?

Chief Yahr’s award is fantastic and proves we have an amazing fire department led by a great leader. My goal is to support that leadership and make sure the success continues, especially as Lakewood keeps growing.

I’ll focus on three main things:

Supporting our people: We have to invest in our firefighters, both paid and volunteer. This means investing in top-notch training and making sure our leaders have what they need to stay the best in the state.

Getting more volunteers: Our volunteers are the backbone of the LFD and they save taxpayers a lot of money. I’ll continue to recruit new members, advocate for more programs, and encourage our youth to get involved.

Planning ahead: My background is in construction, so I think long-term. We need a clear plan for new fire stations and updated equipment, making sure we stay ahead of Lakewood’s growth so every neighborhood gets the best and fastest response time.

 

Lakewood recently got an amazing safety rating (ISO Class 3), which saves residents money on insurance. What are your ideas to keep us safe or even make us safer?

To explain, the ISO rating is like a report card or grade that shows how prepared a town is to fight fires. The score goes from 1 (the best you can get) to 10. Our department, and I as a firefighter, take huge pride in moving from a Class 5 to a Class 3—that instantly tells insurance companies that Lakewood is a safer place, which means real savings for our residents and businesses. We want to keep improving our grade to reach Class 1, which will put us with the best of the best departments nationwide.

To keep us on this path and make us even safer, we need to focus on three main areas:

Protecting our water supply: A big part of the ISO score is our water system. I’ll partner with the water company and the Township to check and ensure our water lines and hydrants are strategically placed and ready, especially in all high-density, busy areas. We need a strong, reliable supply every time we roll out.

The best defense is prevention: We need simple, smart fire safety tips that reach every neighbor. Preventing a fire is always the safest and cheapest solution. This means more effective outreach about risks, from kitchen fires to the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries. It also means actively pre-planning different neighborhoods and documenting potential hazards so we’re completely prepared when a fire occurs.

Faster response times: We have to use data to make smart choices about where we put our fire trucks and equipment. As Lakewood grows, we need to be ready to adjust our resources and even plan for new fire stations if necessary to ensure our trucks get to every call quickly and efficiently.

 

What will you do that’s different from what the current commissioners are already doing?

The main difference I bring is having boots on the fire truck and a budget in the office.

I’m not just an outside accountant looking at numbers; I’m a firefighter who knows why a certain tool is crucial or why a piece of equipment needs replacing right away. I’ll make sure our budget decisions are guided by what keeps our firefighters safe on the ground.

Everyone knows we need volunteers, but getting people to join is only the start, we also need to focus just as heavily on retention. I will champion better incentives and appreciation programs to show our current volunteers how much we value their sacrifice, which is key to keeping our experienced people.

In my business, accountability is key. I will work to make the fire district’s budget and plans easily accessible and simple to understand for every taxpayer. You deserve to know where your fire district tax money is going, and I will be open and upfront about all spending.

 

Incumbent: Larry Loigman

 

Commissioner Larry Loigman has been a familiar name in Lakewood’s fire service for more than a decade. First elected in 2012, he’s known for his meticulous oversight and steady hand in managing the district’s budget.

“I have served as a Lakewood fire commissioner since 2012, and I’m grateful for the opportunity this position has given me to help the residents of our community,” Loigman told The Voice. “I’ve been involved in public fire protection activities for many years (even when I was attending law school in Washington, DC), and it’s a privilege to continue working for the safety of everyone in Lakewood.”

“I always emphasized the need for a cost-effective fire department. The fire district tax is only a small portion of the property tax bill, but there must be diligent, careful oversight of all spending. I’ve insisted on detailed justification for all expenditures and have worked to minimize any spending which wouldn’t contribute to the protection of our residents. Over the years, I’ve been successful in reducing or eliminating unnecessary expenses so that our limited funds can be directed toward our core mission.

“I’m also glad that I was able to introduce a cultural awareness program to the fire department so that all our firefighters receive training in interacting with the specific needs of the frum community.”

 

Why are you the right person for fire commissioner, and why did you decide to run?

I’ve been able to have a significant positive impact on the fire district while serving as fire commissioner since 2012, and I want to use that experience to continue making progress in helping our residents. The work of expanding the services of the fire department while containing expenditures is ongoing, and I have the background necessary to accomplish that. I’m already very familiar with the district’s operations and personnel, so I know that I can move forward with management and administrative initiatives that will strengthen public fire protection in Lakewood. In addition, my legal training has kept the district on the proper course while reducing legal expenses.

Chief Yahr was named Fire Chief of the Year. How will you help the fire department continue this great success?

The award received by Chief Jonathan Yahr is a recognition for both him and for the fire district. The State Fire Chief’s Association clearly understands the tremendous progress that has been made under his leadership during the last several years. I will continue to work with Chief Yahr to implement a number of new programs currently under review. These include technological advances and reorganization of department personnel. I have consistently supported the Chief’s efforts because he demonstrated excellent skills in moving the fire district forward and in transitioning us from a small town fire department to a fully equipped firefighting organization that’s capable of responding to the tremendous growth over the last few years.

 

Lakewood recently got an amazing safety rating (ISO Class 3), which saves people money on insurance. What are your ideas to keep us safe or even make us safer?

The fire district will need to find a site for at least one new fire station so that response time to all parts of town can be maintained at current levels (or improved). We need further expansion of our fire prevention activities so that dangers to both residents and businesses are minimized. Our communications infrastructure must be modernized (some work on this is ongoing), and training for firefighters to include specialized skills has to be expanded.

What will you do that’s different from what is already being done?

Although the fire department responds to immediate calls for service, the fire district also devoted considerable efforts to planning for growth and development. Working with other stakeholders, I would like to take a careful look at some of these program areas: communications, including the organization of dispatch personnel, and technology; interaction with the County Fire Marshal’s office to be sure that we’re receiving all the inspection, prevention, investigation, and training services we need; and personnel selection and management. The goal must always be to deliver the best fire protection for our residents in the most cost-effective manner possible.