LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Bob Lebovics announced Tuesday that he has secured the endorsement of the influential Lakewood Vaad, a coalition of Orthodox Jewish rabbis and community leaders known for its impact on elections in Central Jersey.
The news was first reported by New Jersey Globe.
The backing is expected to boost Lebovics in the closing weeks of the June 2 Republican primary, particularly in Ocean and Monmouth counties, where Orthodox Jewish communities in towns such as Lakewood, Jackson, Manchester, Toms River, and Wall have become an increasingly powerful voting bloc.
The Lakewood Vaad’s endorsements are closely watched in New Jersey politics because of the community’s strong voter turnout and highly organized grassroots network. Political observers have long viewed the group as one of the state’s most influential local political organizations.
Lebovics praised the endorsement in a statement released after meeting with community leaders.
“I’m grateful to the Lakewood Vaad for their endorsement, and to Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg for organizing the meeting,” Lebovics said. “This community showed up valiantly for Jack Ciattarelli and the Republican Party in 2025, and it’s an honor to have them by my side as we head into June.”
Lebovics, an ear, nose and throat surgeon specializing in rare airway diseases, has centered his Senate campaign on conservative priorities and his background in medicine and public service. His campaign also highlighted his work as an on-call surgeon assisting law enforcement.
The endorsement could prove especially significant in a low-turnout primary election, where motivated voting blocs can have an outsized impact on the outcome. Early voting in the Republican Senate primary begins May 26th.
The Republican nominee will advance to the general election later this year in one of New Jersey’s most closely watched federal races, not because of anticipated competitiveness but owing to the fact that Cory Booker is seeking reelection ahead of yet another likely presidential campaign.
