The Mayor of New Brunswick is head of the executive branch of the government of New Brunswick, New Jersey. The leaders of New Brunswick have not always been elected. In the early years of the city, its leaders were selected by the British monarchy.
The first four mayors are considered "colonial" in that their power stemmed from royal charters granted by the Kingdom of Great Britain. Beginning in 1784, the leaders of the city served pursuant to a charter granted by the State of New Jersey.
From 1784 to 1801, there was no mayor and New Brunswick's top official was referred to as "President of the Common Council." Subsequently, several mayors were appointed by the State Legislature of New Jersey. Beginning in the early 19th century, mayors were directly elected by voters. Initially, the term was one year and beginning in 1863, it was two years. Partisan mayor elections were held in April until 1901 when they were combined with the November general election.
Beginning in 1915, New Brunswick's form of government changed to the Walsh Act, with no direct elections for mayor. Instead, every four years, the city held a non-partisan election in May, electing five commissioners, who would then select from among themselves who would be given the title of mayor. Though not always the case, the title would often go to the candidate who received the most votes in the preceding election.
Since 1970, New Brunswick has been run under the Faulkner Act's Mayor-Council plan, with partisan mayor elections every four years. Party primary elections are held in June and the general election is held in November. Democrats have swept all but the 1974 elections, when an independent slate of candidates prevailed.