Varela endorsed by former Clark mayor

Former Clark Mayor Bob Ellenport – the most recent Democrat elected to be mayor of the deep-red Union County town – is endorsing businessman Brian Varela for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s 7th congressional district.

“As the former Mayor of Clark, I know that the most important quality for an elected official is to fight hard for the people he represents,” Ellenport said in a statement. “Brian’s insight, experience and tenacity shows that he can meet this challenge and best represent us.”

Ellenport, a former member of the Clark Township Council, defeated GOP mayor Bernard Yarusavage in 1992 and went on to serve two terms. In 2000, he was succeeded by Republican Sal Bonaccorso (who much later became infamous for his racist rants and public corruption charges).

Varela is one of eight Democrats running to defeat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) in the 7th district, a swingy district that Democrats see as a top flip opportunity in 2026.

Over the course of his campaign, Varela has steadily accrued local endorsements from across the district, most of them concentrated in his home of Morris County and neighboring Hunterdon County. Today’s endorsement from Ellenport is his first foray into Union County, the district’s densest and most vote-rich area.