Young, progressive Belleville Councilman Frank Vélez unseated the Essex County town’s incumbent mayor, Michael Melham, the New Jersey Globe projects.
As of 10:18 PM, Vélez leads Melham 3,255-2,218, or 59%-41%.
Melham and Vélez received support from dueling candidates during the special election in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district. Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (D-Montclair) is allied with the former, while former Rep. Tom Malinowski endorsed Vélez’s campaign in January. Ultimately, neither secured the congressional nomination in a race won by now-Rep. Analilia Mejia.
In 2018, Melham narrowly ousted incumbent Mayor Raymond Kimble. He was re-elected in 2022 with 62% against Second Ward Councilman Steven Rovell.
Melham, a political independent who leads a Democratic town, endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli during his 2021 and 2025 gubernatorial campaigns, leading to consternation among some Democrats. The 24-year-old Vélez, who ran for state Assembly last year on Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s slate, was first elected to the council in 2024.
Four candidates are facing off for two at-large council seats: incumbent Naomy De Peña, Yolanda Luna, Danyale Wells, and Michelle Rodriguez. Councilman Thomas Graziano is not seeking re-election.