Latest news with #SharpeJames
CNN
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Former longtime New Jersey mayor who was convicted in corruption probe dies at 89
Sharpe James, the charismatic, longest-serving mayor of Newark whose political accomplishments were marred by a corruption conviction, has died. He was 89. James died Sunday evening, according to his son, John Sharpe James, a former Newark City Council member. After entering politics, James never lost an election. The Democrat was first elected to public office in 1970, winning a Newark City Council seat. He won the mayor's seat in 1986 by beating Kenneth Gibson, who had held the post for 16 years. James was reelected four times, serving 20 years overall as mayor before deciding not to run in 2006 after initially saying he would. That decision came four years after his contentious but successful mayoral run against then-City Councilman Cory Booker, which was chronicled in the Oscar-nominated documentary film 'Street Fight.' As James' political career wound down, he became the focus of a federal investigation and was convicted in 2008 on charges that he abused his mayoral office by steering city-owned land to his girlfriend. He served 18 months in federal prison. Booker, now a US senator, replaced James as Newark's mayor. 'Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared community, serving the City of Newark for two decades as mayor and giving nearly four decades of his life to public service. I am deeply saddened by his passing,' Booker said in a statement. As mayor, James became a larger-than-life figure and one of the state's most powerful politicians. He led high-profile efforts to attract development to downtown Newark and supported building an arena in Newark. The arena plan eventually came to fruition when the Prudential Center opened in 2007. Critics called James flamboyant, citing his brash behavior and desire to draw attention to himself. They also claimed that he lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers, noting accusations that he racked up thousands of dollars on city credit cards for personal expenses and travel. James strongly denied claims that he led a corrupt political machine. He had repeatedly faced allegations of questionable campaign tactics, including alleged use of the police force for his own purposes and intimidating supporters of his opponents. While still serving as mayor, James was appointed to the New Jersey Senate in 1999 following the death of Sen. Wynona Lipman. He won an election later that year to complete her unexpired term and went on to win two full terms. James remained as Newark's mayor while serving in the Legislature. Supporters noted that holding the two posts was allowed under state law.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sharpe James, former mayor of Newark who served five terms, dies at 89
Sharpe James, a five-term mayor of Newark, has died. He was 89 years old. James, who served as mayor between 1986 and 2006, died Sunday at an elder care facility in West Orange, according to his son John Sharpe James, a former Newark city councilman. No cause of death was released. James is credited with helping revitalize Newark with new building developments and — in his own words — taking the city from 'urban blight to urban bright.' However, rumors swirled about his luxury lifestyle and possible corruption and eventually led to federal charges in 2007. He was eventually convicted of fraud and sentenced to 27 months in prison. 'In his 20 years in office as mayor, Sharpe James was many things: a warrior for our city, a unifier for its people, a powerful force to launch development like New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Prudential Center, and a strong advocate for Newark and its people,' current Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. 'He was also an outstanding educator and an inspiration to generations of Newark residents. Our relationship included competition, conflict and collaboration, and through it all, helped define me, my values, and my aspirations for this city. The Newark we live in is, in many ways, a city he created.' Sen. Cory Booker, who ran a mayoral campaign against James in 2002 and became his successor in 2006, also released a statement. 'Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared community, serving the city of Newark for two decades as mayor and giving nearly four decades of his life to public service. I am deeply saddened by his passing, and I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him throughout Newark.' The pair's 2002 faceoff was the subject of the Oscar-nominated documentary 'Street Fight.' James was born on Feb. 20, 1936, in Jacksonville, Fla., but grew up in Newark. His mother managed and later owned a restaurant there before obtaining a nursing degree from Beth Israel Medical Center. He starred academically at South Side High School (which was later renamed Malcolm X Shabazz High School) and was on the track team. James graduated from Montclair State College (now Montclair State University) in 1958 before a stint in the Army. After his time in the service, he received a master's degree in school administration from Springfield College in Massachusetts. He began teaching and community organizing in Newark. At one point he taught physical education while also representing the South Ward as city councilman. In his first citywide election, he ousted Kenneth Gibson, who had been elected as Newark's first Black mayor in 1970. He became a state senator in 1999 as well, deciding against seeking another term in that position in 2007. Weeks later, he was federally indicted for various schemes from his time in office.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former longtime New Jersey mayor who was convicted in corruption probe dies at 89
Sharpe James, the charismatic, longest-serving mayor of Newark whose political accomplishments were marred by a corruption conviction, has died. He was 89. James died Sunday evening, according to his son, John Sharpe James, a former Newark City Council member. After entering politics, James never lost an election. The Democrat was first elected to public office in 1970, winning a Newark City Council seat. He won the mayor's seat in 1986 by beating Kenneth Gibson, who had held the post for 16 years. James was reelected four times, serving 20 years overall as mayor before deciding not to run in 2006 after initially saying he would. That decision came four years after his contentious but successful mayoral run against then-City Councilman Cory Booker, which was chronicled in the Oscar-nominated documentary film 'Street Fight.' As James' political career wound down, he became the focus of a federal investigation and was convicted in 2008 on charges that he abused his mayoral office by steering city-owned land to his girlfriend. He served 18 months in federal prison. Booker, now a US senator, replaced James as Newark's mayor. 'Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared community, serving the City of Newark for two decades as mayor and giving nearly four decades of his life to public service. I am deeply saddened by his passing,' Booker said in a statement. As mayor, James became a larger-than-life figure and one of the state's most powerful politicians. He led high-profile efforts to attract development to downtown Newark and supported building an arena in Newark. The arena plan eventually came to fruition when the Prudential Center opened in 2007. Critics called James flamboyant, citing his brash behavior and desire to draw attention to himself. They also claimed that he lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers, noting accusations that he racked up thousands of dollars on city credit cards for personal expenses and travel. James strongly denied claims that he led a corrupt political machine. He had repeatedly faced allegations of questionable campaign tactics, including alleged use of the police force for his own purposes and intimidating supporters of his opponents. While still serving as mayor, James was appointed to the New Jersey Senate in 1999 following the death of Sen. Wynona Lipman. He won an election later that year to complete her unexpired term and went on to win two full terms. James remained as Newark's mayor while serving in the Legislature. Supporters noted that holding the two posts was allowed under state law.
CNN
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Former longtime New Jersey mayor who was convicted in corruption probe dies at 89
ObituariesFacebookTweetLink Follow Sharpe James, the charismatic, longest-serving mayor of Newark whose political accomplishments were marred by a corruption conviction, has died. He was 89. James died Sunday evening, according to his son, John Sharpe James, a former Newark City Council member. After entering politics, James never lost an election. The Democrat was first elected to public office in 1970, winning a Newark City Council seat. He won the mayor's seat in 1986 by beating Kenneth Gibson, who had held the post for 16 years. James was reelected four times, serving 20 years overall as mayor before deciding not to run in 2006 after initially saying he would. That decision came four years after his contentious but successful mayoral run against then-City Councilman Cory Booker, which was chronicled in the Oscar-nominated documentary film 'Street Fight.' As James' political career wound down, he became the focus of a federal investigation and was convicted in 2008 on charges that he abused his mayoral office by steering city-owned land to his girlfriend. He served 18 months in federal prison. Booker, now a US senator, replaced James as Newark's mayor. 'Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared community, serving the City of Newark for two decades as mayor and giving nearly four decades of his life to public service. I am deeply saddened by his passing,' Booker said in a statement. As mayor, James became a larger-than-life figure and one of the state's most powerful politicians. He led high-profile efforts to attract development to downtown Newark and supported building an arena in Newark. The arena plan eventually came to fruition when the Prudential Center opened in 2007. Critics called James flamboyant, citing his brash behavior and desire to draw attention to himself. They also claimed that he lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers, noting accusations that he racked up thousands of dollars on city credit cards for personal expenses and travel. James strongly denied claims that he led a corrupt political machine. He had repeatedly faced allegations of questionable campaign tactics, including alleged use of the police force for his own purposes and intimidating supporters of his opponents. While still serving as mayor, James was appointed to the New Jersey Senate in 1999 following the death of Sen. Wynona Lipman. He won an election later that year to complete her unexpired term and went on to win two full terms. James remained as Newark's mayor while serving in the Legislature. Supporters noted that holding the two posts was allowed under state law.
CNN
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Former longtime New Jersey mayor who was convicted in corruption probe dies at 89
Sharpe James, the charismatic, longest-serving mayor of Newark whose political accomplishments were marred by a corruption conviction, has died. He was 89. James died Sunday evening, according to his son, John Sharpe James, a former Newark City Council member. After entering politics, James never lost an election. The Democrat was first elected to public office in 1970, winning a Newark City Council seat. He won the mayor's seat in 1986 by beating Kenneth Gibson, who had held the post for 16 years. James was reelected four times, serving 20 years overall as mayor before deciding not to run in 2006 after initially saying he would. That decision came four years after his contentious but successful mayoral run against then-City Councilman Cory Booker, which was chronicled in the Oscar-nominated documentary film 'Street Fight.' As James' political career wound down, he became the focus of a federal investigation and was convicted in 2008 on charges that he abused his mayoral office by steering city-owned land to his girlfriend. He served 18 months in federal prison. Booker, now a US senator, replaced James as Newark's mayor. 'Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared community, serving the City of Newark for two decades as mayor and giving nearly four decades of his life to public service. I am deeply saddened by his passing,' Booker said in a statement. As mayor, James became a larger-than-life figure and one of the state's most powerful politicians. He led high-profile efforts to attract development to downtown Newark and supported building an arena in Newark. The arena plan eventually came to fruition when the Prudential Center opened in 2007. Critics called James flamboyant, citing his brash behavior and desire to draw attention to himself. They also claimed that he lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of taxpayers, noting accusations that he racked up thousands of dollars on city credit cards for personal expenses and travel. James strongly denied claims that he led a corrupt political machine. He had repeatedly faced allegations of questionable campaign tactics, including alleged use of the police force for his own purposes and intimidating supporters of his opponents. While still serving as mayor, James was appointed to the New Jersey Senate in 1999 following the death of Sen. Wynona Lipman. He won an election later that year to complete her unexpired term and went on to win two full terms. James remained as Newark's mayor while serving in the Legislature. Supporters noted that holding the two posts was allowed under state law.
