TOMS RIVER, NJ – A telephone poll targeting registered voters across all spectrums in Toms River shows Republican Dan Rodrick leading his Democrat opponent Ben Giovine with 70.3% support.
The poll, similar to the one Rodrick conducted ahead of his primary against Toms River Mayor Mo Hill, which was accurate within 5 points, shows Giovine with 28.5% of voters for him and a small margin of undecided voters.
Rodrick polled solidly with Republican and independent voters, with 98.8% of Republican voters in his corner.
Among Democrats, Giovine had 61.6% of voters, with Rodrick polling favorably with those on the other side of the aisle, with 28.2% supporting Rodrick in the poll.
“I think the poll results so far clearly show that Toms River doesn’t want the things Ben Giovine is offering,” Rodrick said. “Residents tell me every day they don’t want our town to become a city, and Ben is out there promoting this idea of redeveloping Toms River with hi-rise towers and high-density apartments.”
In 2021, Rodrick won his ward election race with roughly 70% of the vote against Democrat Party leader Jeff Horn. Doubters said Rodrick would not poll well outside of his own ward in a township-wide race, but his messaging in the race has been in line with the voters of Toms River.
“This isn’t a Democrat or Republican race,” Rodrick says. “It’s about local quality of life issues. Traffic, Congestion. School Taxes. Overdevelopment. Ben’s core principles don’t allow him to see that residents don’t want high-density apartments. They don’t want to be forced to drive electric vehicles or cook on gas stoves. Ben’s programmed to push this radical agenda and knows no other way to govern. He voted to raise taxes every year he was on the school board, and he’ll do the same if he somehow wins this race.”
In June, Rodrick received 50% of Republican votes in a four-way election. Since then, rival Republican factions have lined up to endorse Rodrick in a united front next week.
“The outpouring of support has been amazing,” Rodrick said. “Not only are Republicans being brought together to stop Giovine’s radical plans, but independents and even many Democrats fear what could happen to Toms River if he wins next week. The residents in town have made their voices heard loud and clear, but Ben doesn’t seem to want to hear them. He knows what’s best for all of us, but he’s the only one who agrees with his plan.”