In the United States today, elections for Governor will be held in several states. The American media is focusing, of course, on the drama unfolding in the big city – New York. Polls indicate that the independent candidate for Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, while enjoy a sweeping victory, and enter a third term in office.

In New Jersey, the Democrats and Republicans are tensing up in anticipation for the elections for Governor. Polls in that state predict that the candidates for Governor, Democrat Jon Corzine and Republican Cris Christie, will be running an extremely close race. Several weeks ago, the polls indicated a widespread victory for the Republican candidate, until President Obama decided to give his full support for the candidate from his own party, Corzine. The great majority of New Jersey residents voted for Obama - the Democratic candidate - during the Presidential elections a year ago.

As the case has always been, the Jewish voice also has a place of prominence in these elections. Representatives of the Jewish community in New Jersey say that it would have been perfectly natural for the chareidi voters to support the Republican candidate, especially since his competitor, Democrat Jon Corzine, is in favor of passing laws that are unacceptable to Torah observant Jews.

The community Vaad of Lakewood, which deals with political issues affecting the large chareidi population in the city, usually decides who the community should vote for in local elections. Regarding the upcoming election for Governor, the Vaad decided to support Corzine, since he has been extremely helpful to the chareidi community during his present term as Governor. The Vaad publicized a very clear message, instructing the chareid community for vote for the Democratic candidate, Jon Corzine.

The matter was discussed and argued by the residents of Lakewood, and tempers flared. It reached the point where the gaon, Rabbi Michael Kotler, shlita, Rosh Yeshivat Lakewood, had no choice but to intervene. He issued a very clear statement, in the name of Maran and Rosh Yeshiva, the gaon Rabbi Arye Leib Steinman, shlita, that the chareidi community should vote for Corzine.

The gaon Rabbi Kotler, shlita, wrote in his statement, "Regarding the matter of many people questioning the decision made by the Vaad about the elections, I raised the issue with Maran the gaon Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman, shlita… and he said that it may be publicized in his name that one should vote for the candidate that will be most useful to our community, in accordance with the earlier conclusions reached by the Vaad of Lakewood."