Politics & Government
Frank Vélez Launches Bid For Belleville Mayor In 2026
Vélez previously set Belleville milestones as its youngest-ever school board member and town council member. Now he's running for mayor.
BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Belleville town councilman recently announced that he is running for mayor in 2026.
Frank Vélez released his campaign announcement on social media last week. He currently serves as the council representative in the 2nd Ward.
A lifelong Belleville resident, Vélez previously served as a Belleville Board of Education member – setting a milestone as its youngest-ever member at the age of 19 after his election in 2021. Vélez repeated that milestone in 2024 when he was elected to the town council.
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Now, he is setting his sights on another goal: mayor.
“This race is not about one person or one group,” Vélez wrote. “It’s about making a real difference for our families, our seniors, our town workers, and everyone who makes Belleville great. This campaign is about delivering positive change for every Belleville resident — and putting people before politics and special interests.”
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“Too many families feel priced out and pushed out,” Vélez said in his campaign launch video. “Homes are out of reach. Rents are too high, taxes keep going up, and people feel unheard.”
“I hear it, I see it, and it's unacceptable,” he added.
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