Sharpe James, Newark, New Jersey’s longest-serving mayor, was often photographed at a variety of events: in a swimming pool, shooting pool, and playing soccer, to mention a few. But it was behind a podium where his voice was commanding and combative that he is best remembered. Sharpe whose otherwise distinguished career was blemished by corruption charges, died on May 11 in a West Orange, New Jersey elder care facility. He was 89. His death was confirmed by his son, John Sharpe James, a former Newark city councilman.
While some considered him two-faced and at times a happy-go-lucky man of extravagance, others knew of his cold, steely resolve behind the scenes. Sharpe was born Feb. 20, 1936 in Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Louis, who died before he was born, and Beulah James Fluker. She remarried and moved to New Jersey in 1940. Sharpe, named after his mother’s maiden name, graduated from South Side High School (now the Malcolm X Shabazz High School) and then from Montclair State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a M.A. in physical education from Springfield College.
In 1961, he received an award from Springfield’s department of physiology and later completed postgraduate studies at Washington State University, Columbia University, and Rutgers University. His military career included stints in the U.S. Army where he served in Germany. Before entering politics, Sharpe worked as an athletic director, teacher, and a professor at Essex County College.
When he entered the political arena in 1970, where he was never defeated, he began as a councilman in Newark. Sixteen years later he defeated the incumbent Kenneth Gibson, who had held the position for 16 years. For the next few years, Sharpe was at the city’s helm before deciding not to run in 2006. Four years before, he won a contentious but successful race against Cory Booker, chronicled in the “Street Fight,” an Oscar-nominated documentary. Booker would replace Sharpe as mayor, after Sharpe was convicted of steering city-owned property to his girlfriend. He served a year and half in federal prison.
“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,” said Booker, now a senator. “I am deeply saddened by his passing.” When Booker ran in a special election for the senate seat, he was endorsed by Sharpe.
Among the things Booker referenced was Sharpe’s development of downtown Newark. The later construction of the Prudential Center can be attributed to his leadership. In his book “Political Prisoner,” published in 2013, Sharpe denied claims that his lavish lifestyle was the result of reaping benefits from campaign donations, and city credit cards. He can be credited for the building of the New Jersey Center Performing Arts Center.
In 1988, Sharpe was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Montclair State University, and, in 1991, an honorary doctorate from Drew University. He is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Mattison) and three sons.