Overview

Helmin J. Caba is a Democratic municipal official and labor union member who has served as Mayor of Perth Amboy since January 2021. Born in the Dominican Republic's La Vega Province, he immigrated with his family to Perth Amboy in 1977 at age four and has lived in the city since. He is the first elected mayor of Dominican Republic descent in Perth Amboy history.

Prior to his mayoral tenure, Caba worked for over two decades as a paraprofessional at Perth Amboy High School, where he was a member of American Federation of Teachers Local 857. He also owned and operated several small businesses in the city. His background in education and labor union activism informed his policy priorities, particularly regarding labor relations and workforce development. He graduated from the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates School and received union endorsements throughout his political career.

Caba entered politics in 2016 when he was elected to the Perth Amboy City Council. He served as a councilman from 2017 through 2020 while also serving as the city's Democratic Municipal Chairman. In December 2020, he defeated three-term incumbent Mayor Wilda Diaz in a runoff election. In 2024, he won re-nomination in Perth Amboy's first partisan primary election after the city switched from nonpartisan to partisan elections, and subsequently won re-election to a second term.

Political Career

Member, Perth Amboy City Council (2017–2020)

Democratic Municipal Chairman, Perth Amboy (prior to 2020)

Mayor, Perth Amboy City (January 1, 2021–present)

Key Policy Areas

Labor relations and workforce development (Project Labor Agreement implementation)

Infrastructure and economic development

Public safety and quality of life

Education and youth services

Municipal fiscal stability and tax stabilization

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Made history as the first elected mayor of Dominican Republic descent in Perth Amboy

Enacted the first local Project Labor Agreement ordinance in Perth Amboy in June 2021, requiring union labor on major municipal construction projects

Led transition of Perth Amboy from nonpartisan to partisan municipal elections; won first partisan Democratic primary in June 2024

Developed "2025 Vision" strategic plan for Perth Amboy's economic development and infrastructure improvement

Served on Perth Amboy Arts Council and Catholic School Advisory Board prior to mayoral service

Former member, Perth Amboy Municipal Alliance

Education

Middlesex County College – Degrees in Marketing and Advertising

School of Visual Arts, Manhattan, New York City – Art studies

Personal

Birth date: 1973

Residence: Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Occupation: Former Paraprofessional, Perth Amboy High School; small business owner