NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Sharpe James, the charismatic longest-serving mayor of Newark whose political accomplishments had been marred by a corruption conviction, has died. He was 89.
James died Sunday night, based on his son, John Sharpe James, a former Newark Metropolis Council member.
After coming into politics, James by no means misplaced an election. The Democrat was first elected to public workplace in 1970, successful a Newark Metropolis Council seat. He gained the mayor’s seat in 1986 by beating Kenneth Gibson, who had held the put up for 16 years.
James was reelected 4 occasions, serving 20 years general as mayor earlier than deciding to not run in 2006 after initially saying he would. That call got here 4 years after his contentious however profitable mayoral run towards then-Metropolis Councilman Cory Booker, which was chronicled within the Oscar-nominated documentary movie “Road Combat.”
As James’ political profession wound down, he turned the main focus of a federal investigation and was convicted in 2008 on expenses that he abused his mayoral workplace by steering city-owned land to his girlfriend. He served 18 months in federal jail.
Booker, now a U.S. senator, changed James as Newark’s mayor.
“Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared neighborhood, serving the Metropolis of Newark for twenty years as mayor and giving almost 4 many years of his life to public service. I’m deeply saddened by his passing,” Booker mentioned in an announcement.
As mayor, James turned a larger-than-life determine and one of many state’s strongest politicians. He led high-profile efforts to draw growth to downtown Newark and supported constructing an area in Newark. The world plan finally got here to fruition when the Prudential Heart opened in 2007.
Critics known as James flamboyant, citing his brash conduct and want to attract consideration to himself. Additionally they claimed that he lived a lavish way of life on the expense of taxpayers, noting accusations that he racked up 1000’s of {dollars} on metropolis bank cards for private bills and travels.
James strongly denied claims that he led a corrupt political machine. He had repeatedly confronted allegations of questionable marketing campaign techniques, together with alleged use of the police pressure for his personal functions and intimidating supporters of his opponents.
Whereas nonetheless serving as mayor, James was appointed to the New Jersey Senate in 1999 following the dying of Sen. Wynona Lipman. He gained an election later that yr to finish her unexpired time period and went on to win two full phrases.
James remained as Newark’s mayor whereas serving within the Legislature. Supporters famous that holding the 2 posts was allowed beneath state legislation.
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Related Press reporter John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.
