Lakewood, NJ – With the New Jersey Republican primary for governor heading into its final stretch on June 10, former radio host Bill Spadea is betting big on Lakewood.
He’s working hard to win over the town’s strong, tightly organized voting bloc—one that could tip the scales in Ocean County’s nearly 200,000 Republican votes.
Both Spadea and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli know that Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish community can vote as a group—and deliver big results. In recent weeks, both men have been seen in public there, meeting with community leaders, but Spadea seems to be pushing harder, hoping to turn this into his “Hail Mary” moment before Election Day.
Spadea’s secret weapon? George Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican chairman and Spadea’s top consultant. Gilmore has deep roots in the region and has spent the past year building trust with Lakewood’s leaders.
One of his key moves was backing Schmuel Ellenbogen, president of the Toms River Jewish Community Council. Gilmore supported Ellenbogen for a seat on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, and Spadea won a decisive 129–83 victory over Ciattarelli at the county GOP convention back in February. That strong win showed how powerful Gilmore’s support has been for Spadea.
Gilmore didn’t stop there. He also helped get other Lakewood figures appointed to county roles. These efforts weren’t just nice gestures—they were strategic.
They built goodwill and trust among the community’s political and religious leaders, and in Lakewood, that kind of trust often turns into votes.
Spadea’s campaign has publicly praised Gilmore’s influence. In their eyes, his connections in Lakewood are a game-changer. They’ve been working hard to show the community they respect its leadership and want their support, hoping that will turn into votes on primary day.
For Spadea, this isn’t just about courting one town—it’s a smart move in a county that’s hugely important for any GOP candidate in New Jersey.
Ocean County is one of the biggest Republican areas in the state, with more registered GOP voters than anywhere else. It’s a key battleground—one where block voting groups like Lakewood’s can matter.
Jack Ciattarelli hasn’t ignored the area—he’s been visiting too and earning endorsements in several other counties. Still, Spadea’s alliance with Gilmore and his team has been more visible, especially in Lakewood. Spadea is leaning in, hoping his efforts pay off in a big way on June 10.
There’s more on the line than just one town’s votes. The strong bond between Gilmore and Spadea is already paying dividends. Spadea’s big win at the convention early in the year—and his growing trust among Lakewood leaders—make this a crucial moment. If he secures Lakewood’s block vote, he could swing Ocean County and keep his campaign alive.
Meanwhile, Ciattarelli has been building support too. He’s picked up endorsements in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Passaic counties. But Spadea’s work in Lakewood shows a different strategy, with deep relationships and a lot of focus on one voting group that could be decisive.
This will all come down to June 10. If Lakewood turns out in favor of Spadea, he could ride that momentum straight through Ocean County and maybe even grab the governor’s nomination.
But if Ciattarelli wins more of those block votes, or if they break evenly, the whole race could stay wide open. Either way, Lakewood has become a key spot in this campaign’s final days.
The story isn’t over yet. All eyes are on Lakewood as primary day draws near. Will Spadea’s strategy pay off? Or will Ciattarelli pick apart those block votes, too? It’s turned into a high-stakes showdown—and Lakewood might just hold the answer.