Baraka Wins Fourth Newark Term as Vélez Ousts Melham in Belleville, Vauss Holds Irvington

TL;DR: Ras Baraka wins a fourth Newark term with 13,057 votes; Frank Vélez defeats incumbent Michael Melham in Belleville with 3,255 votes; Tony Vauss holds Irvington mayoral seat with 2,649 votes.

On Tuesday, May 12, voters in Essex County’s Newark, Belleville, Irvington and Orange went to the polls for mayor and council races. Polls opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. The Essex County Clerk posted unofficial results online, noting that Orange held only council contests. Newark’s ballot included Baraka and seven other challengers, while Belleville’s race matched council member Vélez against two‑term mayor Melham. Irvington’s contest pitted incumbent Vauss against challenger Paul Inman.

Baraka captured 13,057 votes, outpacing the next highest candidate, Jhamar Youngblood, who received 3,100 votes. Vélez earned 3,255 votes, defeating Melham’s 2,218. Vauss secured 2,649 votes, well ahead of Inman’s 1,304. These totals represent the certified counts from each municipality’s 100 % district reporting, except Irvington where 97 % of districts were in.

Baraka’s fourth term continues his stewardship of New Jersey’s largest city, where he previously sought the gubernatorial nomination in 2025. Vélez’s win introduces a new mayoral voice in Belleville, potentially reshaping the council’s agenda on development and public safety. Vauss’s re‑election preserves Irvington’s current leadership as the town addresses ongoing budget constraints and crime‑prevention initiatives.

Watch for the newly elected mayors to present their budget proposals and outline council coordination strategies in the coming months.