A lost election resulted in mayoral mudslinging as the outgoing leader made claims about his younger successor.
Outgoing Belleville, New Jersey Mayor Michael Melham, 51, lost his race to 24-year-old Frank Velez, and issued a statement on Facebook that alleged the young councilman had his vehicle repossessed.
Look:
“Last night’s results were disappointing, to say the least. But I leave this chapter incredibly proud of what was accomplished over the past 8 years,” he wrote. “An average tax increase of just $68 per year over the last five years. New parks, programs, events, facilities, public parking, open space preservation, and investments across every corner of Belleville. Progress that had not been seen here in generations.”
“This Township was guided through COVID, Hurricane Ida, the Newark Lead Water Crisis, and the Great Fire of 2026. Through every challenge, leadership remained steady and focused on moving Belleville forward,” he continued. “There are absolutely no regrets. Over the next month and a half, until July 1, there is still work to be done. In fact, yesterday on Election Day, a three-page letter was hand-delivered to the Governor requesting a State of Emergency declaration to help Belleville recover nearly $2.9 million in cleanup costs from the Valley fire. The work does not stop.”
“As I move on from office, please know this: I’m not going away. I’ll still be here as a resident, taxpayer, business owner, and proud member of this community. I will absolutely remain civically and politically involved. I may even attend one of the 48 community meetings that have been promised. To everyone who reached out with kind words and support, thank you. It truly meant a lot to me and my family. I know the work that was done. I know what was accomplished. I just hope it survives, because Belleville deserves it,” he added. “As for me, I have my health, my family, a fantastic business, and no shortage of opportunities ahead. I’m good. I just pray Belleville will be too. Talk soon, friends.”
“Last – To address the rumors circulating today… the Mayor’s car was NOT repossessed this morning! I have a job and a great career. That said, I can confirm it was actually the new Mayor, the Mayor-elect’s car that was repossessed. Like I said… I’m praying for you, Belleville,” the post concluded.
JUST IN: Newly elected 24-year-old Democrat-endorsed mayor of Belleville, NJ Frank Vélez, reportedly had his car repossessed pic.twitter.com/wAGdImH1MP
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 15, 2026
In a statement to The New York Post, Velez explained there was a “clerical error” that has been resolved.
“Right now Belleville families are recovering from a devastating fire. That’s where my focus is. This was a clerical error fixed in a day and nothing more. It’s an attempt at a low blow by the same person our campaign trounced in a landslide on Tuesday,” he said. “I’m preparing to govern our town, not entertain bitter Facebook rants from a defeated incumbent.”
Velez crushed Melham by almost 20 points on Tuesday, despite less than 15% of registered voters turning out.
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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