Mayor Ray Coles Projected to Win Another Township Committee Term, Extending Decades in Office

Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles is projected to win reelection to the Lakewood Township Committee, extending a political career spanning nearly 25 years and securing another three-year term in one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing municipalities.

Coles, a Democrat who has been a fixture in Lakewood politics for more than two decades, was among four candidates competing for two seats on the five-member Township Committee in Tuesday’s general election.

The race featured Coles and fellow Democrat Samantha Stokes against Republicans Deborah Fuentes, an incumbent committeewoman, and Moshe Raitzik, a longtime community figure who previously served on the Lakewood Board of Education and currently serves as a fire commissioner.

Coles first joined the Township Committee in December 2001 and has served continuously since then, overseeing a period of extraordinary growth and transformation in Lakewood.

He has served as mayor on numerous occasions, including throughout the past decade, becoming one of the township’s longest-serving and most recognizable public officials.

Unlike municipalities where the mayor is elected directly by voters, Lakewood operates under a system in which residents elect members of the Township Committee, who then select the mayor from among themselves during the annual reorganization meeting.

Coles’ projected victory therefore secures his continued membership on the governing body, although his selection as mayor for another year will be determined separately by the committee.

During his tenure, Lakewood has experienced tremendous population growth, accompanied by extensive residential and commercial development and increasing demands on municipal infrastructure.

The township’s rapid expansion has brought significant challenges involving traffic congestion, road improvements, public safety, housing development, and the delivery of municipal services to a growing population.

Those issues featured prominently in this year’s local election, particularly as residents continued to express concerns about traffic conditions and the pace of development throughout the township.

The Republican candidates sought to address those concerns, with Raitzik emphasizing traffic congestion, road closures, infrastructure improvements, and the effects of continued development.

The election also took place against the backdrop of Lakewood’s unusual political landscape, where local candidates from both major parties have historically attracted support across party lines.

Republicans entered the election holding a 3-2 majority on the Township Committee, making the outcome of the two contested seats significant for the balance of power in municipal government.

Coles’ projected reelection ensures that he will remain involved in decisions affecting the township’s budget, infrastructure, municipal services, and development policies as Lakewood continues to grow.

The results remain unofficial pending the completion of ballot counting and certification by election officials. Final vote totals and the outcome of the second Township Committee seat were not immediately confirmed.