Incumbent mayor Andre Sayegh is leading in the Paterson mayoral race as ballots continue to be counted. However, Sayegh’s campaign declared victory on Tuesday night at the Brownstone House.

Sayegh was introduced by his close ally councilman Al Abdelaziz as having secured a second four-year term.

“Paterson. There’s no substitute for hard work. For the last four years, we’ve worked really hard,” said Sayegh in a speech.

Sayegh’s opponents argued crime, taxes, and sewer fees went up under the incumbent’s watch. He also failed to provide consistent basic services such as street cleaning, recycling, and garbage pick up, they argued in the campaign trail.

Sayegh’s team declared victory even before the ballots could be fully counted.

“He is misleading the public,” said councilman Alex Mendez, who is Sayegh’s leading rival in the race. He said Sayegh’s victory declaration is “premature.” There were rumors Mendez’s team had also declared victory; however, Mendez said he has not declared victory.

“I’m being responsible. I’m waiting for the results,” said Mendez. He said just 25 percent of the votes have been counted.

Mendez said he is at City Hall waiting for the City Clerk to release the election results. Officials were still tallying the results as of late Tuesday night.

Numbers released by election officials shows Sayegh with 6,551 votes and Mendez with 3,541. Aslan Goow received 1,316 votes, Luis Velez, 580, and Michael Jackson, 1,442 votes.

In the City Council at-large race, incumbents Maritza Davila and Lilisa Mimms are leading. Newcomer Forid Uddin is leading in third place.

There are three at-large seats that are being contested by ten candidates.

Mario Rondon contributed reporting. Updated 5/11/2022 at 8:30 a.m.