Mayor in Bergen, New Jersey

2026 Primary Election

• Chong "paul" Kim — Incumbent Mayor in Palisades Park, NJ

  Chong "Paul" Kim serves as the current Mayor of Palisades Park, New Jersey. He secured the mayoral office in November 2022, winning the Democratic primary against then-incumbent Chris Chung and later defeating Republican Stephanie Jang. Previously a Councilman for the borough, Kim was the local Democratic Party's choice for mayor. Representing a significant hub for the Korean American community in Bergen County, his official contact is mayorkim@palisadesparknj.gov. In early 2024, Kim was reportedly under investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office amid allegations from a police officer's lawsuit against the borough.

• Suk "john" Min — Councilman in Palisades Park, NJ

  Suk "John" Min is a Councilman in Palisades Park, New Jersey, who is challenging incumbent Mayor Chong "Paul" Kim in the upcoming June 2026 Democratic primary election. Min seeks to correct "the course of our administration," indicating a focus on administrative reform or improvement. His challenge is part of a series of dramatic primary contests in Palisades Park, reflecting an "insider vs. outsider" dynamic. He is currently involved in the borough's administration, which is facing legal scrutiny, including a federal lawsuit alleging retaliation and discrimination against a former employee.

• Carmelo J. Velardo — Student-athlete in Bergen, NJ

  Carmelo J. Velardo is a student-athlete at Hamilton College with a background in business and customer service. He previously gained experience at Piccolo's Gastronomia Italiana in Ridgefield, New Jersey, assisting with product management and customer orders, and also worked as a general contractor for Cvelardo Builders in Palisades Park. Velardo has secured multiple internships for 2026, including private wealth management with Morgan Stanley, client services with AlphaSights, and global wealth management with UBS, all in New York City. His professional trajectory highlights an interest in finance and business.

• Jason M. Juliano — Candidate for Council in Bergen, NJ

  No information about Jason M. Juliano was found in the provided search results. The articles extensively cover Paul Juliano, identified as the Bergen County Democratic chairman seeking re-election in 2026, and detail his significant support from municipal chairs and elected officials across Bergen County, New Jersey. These details, however, pertain to Paul Juliano, not Jason M. Juliano, who is listed as a candidate for Council in Bergen County. Therefore, specific background, policy positions, or reasons for running for Jason M. Juliano could not be extracted.

• Justin S. Kang — Candidate for Council in Palisades Park, NJ

  Justin S. Kang is a Democratic candidate seeking election to a Council seat in Palisades Park, New Jersey. He is participating in the contested June 2 primary election, where he is one of four candidates vying for two available council positions.

• Y Christine Won-Yoon — Candidate for Council in Palisades Park, NJ

  Y. Christine Won-Yoon is running as a Democratic candidate for a Council seat in Palisades Park, New Jersey. She is participating in the June 2, 2026 primary election for one of two available council positions.

• Lucy Y. Yang — Candidate for Council in Palisades Park, NJ

  Lucy Y. Yang is a Democratic candidate for Council in Palisades Park, Bergen County, New Jersey. She is running in the June 2 primary election, seeking one of two available council seats. The primary will determine which candidates will advance to the general election in November.

• Stephanie S. Jang — Incumbent Council Member in Palisades Park, NJ

  Stephanie S. Jang, a Republican, immigrated from South Korea 42 years ago and raised her family in Palisades Park, New Jersey. She began her public service in 2007 on the Board of Education, where she served as President. Jang was elected to the Palisades Park Borough Council in 2020, taking office in January 2021, and is currently an incumbent council member. She recently won her Republican primary for re-election to the council in June 2024. Jang previously ran for Palisades Park Mayor in the 2022 Republican primary. Her professional background includes roles as an Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor in Englewood Cliffs and an Independent Educational Consultant.