Teen Loses Belleville Election, But Says ‘Best Days Still Ahead'

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Frank Velez lost his bid for a seat on the Belleville Township Council. But he knows “the best days are still ahead.”

Velez, a recent graduate of Belleville High School who is attending Montclair State University, recently garnered 453 votes in the May 12 nonpartisan municipal election, which was held via mail due to the coronavirus crisis.

It wasn’t enough to beat his opponent in the 2nd Ward, Steven Rovell, who got 961 votes, according to the certified election results from the Essex County Clerk’s Office. But hopefully, it was enough to make a difference, Velez said.

The candidate penned the following message on social media Tuesday:

“To the hundreds of Belleville residents, supporters, friends, neighbors who took a chance on me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This was the first entirely Vote-By-Mail Election, and it brought with it many challenges and uncertainties. However, we still managed to effectively bring to the forefront important issues that affect all residents, and I will continue to do so regardless of my position in town. I hope Councilman Steven J. Rovell will take into consideration the points and issues we raised in this campaign, and pray for his success. The 2nd Ward led the town in turnout and excitement, and that just goes to show how many people we both brought into the political process who never were in the first place. With that, I believe Belleville’s best days are still ahead.”

On his campaign website, Velez said he “caught political fever” while working behind the scenes on Belleville’s board of education election last year. He faced a steep challenge against Rovell, a 15-year incumbent whose family has been deeply involved in the local community for almost a century.

During his campaign, Velez used the difference in job experience to hammer on the theme that “people are fed up with the status quo and are ready for change.”

Velez also emphasized the good vibes that can come when young people get involved in their communities, such as a recent, youth-led drive that garnered $1,500 in donations for local emergency responders.

• See related article: Lower Voting Age To 16, Green Party Senate Candidate In NJ Says
• See related article: Millburn Teen Hopes to Bring 'Unique' Perspective to School Board

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