Sharpe James

Sharpe James (February 20, 1936 – May 11, 2025) was an American Democratic politician. James was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He was State Senator for the 29th Legislative District and was 35th Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. James was the second African American Mayor of Newark. From June 1999 until July 2006, James was Mayor of Newark and New Jersey State Senator at the same time. 

His final reelection campaign, against then-Councilman Cory Booker in 2002, was documented in the 2005 feature movie Street Fight.

On April 16, 2008, James was convicted of five counts of fraud by a federal jury and was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

James died in West Orange, New Jersey on May 11, 2025 at the age of 89.

References

Category:1936 births
Category:2025 deaths
Category:Mayors of Newark, New Jersey
Category:State legislators of the United States
Category:American fraudsters
Category:Politicians from Jacksonville, Florida
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:African-American politicians