History of Sharpe James in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 12, 2025

Sharpe James was a prominent American politician who served as the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, from 1986 to 2006, making him the city's longest-serving mayor. He also served as a state senator. His political career was marked by both popularity and controversy, including a close mayoral election challenge from Cory Booker documented in the film *Street Fight*. James's career ended after his conviction on corruption charges in 2008, effectively ending his political career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1961: Department of Physiology Award

In 1961, Sharpe James received the Department of Physiology Award from Springfield College.

1970: Elected South Ward Councilman

In 1970, Sharpe James was first elected to public office as a South Ward Councilman.

1974: Re-elected to Council

In 1974, Sharpe James was re-elected to the council, defeating his sole opponent by a ten-to-one margin.

1977: Led effort to halt Concorde landings

In 1977 Sharpe James led an effort to halt landings of Concorde jets at Newark International Airport, claiming it would add to air and noise pollution in the area.

1978: Elected to Third Term

In 1978, Sharpe James was elected to a third term as a councilman.

1982: Elected to At-Large Seat

In 1982, Sharpe James became the first ward councilman elected to an at-large seat.

1983: Demanded Apology from Phil Donahue

In 1983, after talk show host Phil Donahue made comments about Newark, Sharpe James demanded an apology. Donahue sent James a letter apologizing for the remark.

January 30, 1986: Announced Mayoral Candidacy

On January 30, 1986, Sharpe James announced he would run for Mayor of Newark to challenge Kenneth A. Gibson.

1987: New Jersey Chairman for Jesse Jackson's Campaign

In 1987, Sharpe James served as the New Jersey chairman of Jesse Jackson's campaign for the 1988 Democratic Party presidential nomination.

1988: New Jersey Chairman for Jesse Jackson's Campaign

In 1988, Sharpe James served as the New Jersey chairman of Jesse Jackson's campaign for the 1988 Democratic Party presidential nomination.

1990: Unopposed Re-election

In 1990, Sharpe James was the first Newark mayor to run unopposed when he sought re-election.

December 1992: Electoral College Member

In December 1992, Sharpe James was a member of the New Jersey State Electoral College, casting his vote for the Clinton/Gore ticket.

1994: Won Re-election

In 1994, Sharpe James handily won re-election as mayor.

1996: Chief of Staff Charged with Bribery

In 1996, Sharpe James's chief of staff, Jackie Mattison, was charged in federal court with receiving over $17,000 in bribes.

1997: Completion of New Jersey Performing Arts Center

In 1997, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center was completed in Newark.

1998: Won Re-election

In 1998, Sharpe James handily won re-election as mayor.

June 1999: Appointed to New Jersey Senate

In June 1999, Sharpe James was appointed to the New Jersey Senate to fill out the unexpired term of Senator Wynona Lipman.

2000: Chief of Staff Released from Prison

In 2000, Sharpe James's chief of staff, Jackie Mattison, was released from federal prison.

November 2001: Re-elected to Senate

In November 2001, Sharpe James was re-elected for a full term in the New Jersey Senate and continued to hold both offices as mayor and senator.

2002: Assistant Democratic Leader of the Senate

From 2002, Sharpe James served as Assistant Democratic leader of the senate

2002: Received City Hall-Issued Debit Card

In 2002, Sharpe James received a City Hall-issued debit card.

2002: Re-elected for Fifth Term and Named "Mayor of the Year"

In 2002, Sharpe James was re-elected for an unprecedented fifth term and was named "Mayor of the Year" by the New Jersey Conference of Mayors. His reelection campaign against Cory Booker was documented in the 2005 film Street Fight.

2003: Assistant Democratic Leader of the Senate

In 2003, Sharpe James served as Assistant Democratic leader of the senate.

2004: Assistant Senate Majority Leader and Vice Chairman

From 2004, Sharpe James served as Assistant Senate Majority leader and became vice chairman of the Senate budget committee.

2004: Sponsored Senate Bill 967

In 2004, Sharpe James sponsored Senate Bill 967 to amend the Faulkner Act, with prosecutors alleging he urged passage to increase his power and benefit himself illegally.

2005: Assistant Senate Majority Leader

In 2005, Sharpe James served as Assistant Senate Majority leader.

2005: OPRA Request Reveals Personal Expenses

In 2005, a New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request revealed that Sharpe James had spent over $70,000 with a City Hall-issued debit card for personal expenses over a two-year period.

2005: Street Fight Feature Film

In 2005, the feature film "Street Fight" documented Sharpe James's 2002 reelection campaign against Cory Booker.

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August 2006: OPRA Request Reveals Credit Card Spending and U.S. Attorney Issues Subpoenas

In August 2006, an OPRA request revealed that Sharpe James had spent over $80,000 with a credit card provided by the Newark Police Department for several vacations. On August 21, the U.S. Attorney's Office issued subpoenas for debit and credit card records.

2006: Championed Relocation of Devils and Filed for Reelection

In 2006, Sharpe James championed the relocation of the New Jersey Devils to Newark and filed for reelection as mayor, but then announced he would not seek a sixth term.

March 2007: Senator Wayne R. Bryant Indicted

In March 2007, Senator Wayne R. Bryant, under whom Sharpe James served as vice chairman of the Senate budget committee, was indicted for corruption charges.

March 2007: Federal Investigation into City Lot Sales

In March 2007, federal investigators subpoenaed documents between Sharpe James and Tamika Riley under accusations that James rigged the sale of city lots to Riley.

April 9, 2007: Announced Not Seeking Re-election

On April 9, 2007, Sharpe James announced he would not seek re-election to his State Senate seat.

February 26, 2008: Trial Opens

On February 26, 2008, Sharpe James's trial opened, with lawyers maintaining he had not violated federal law.

June 2009: Attempt to Expunge Convictions Fails

In June 2009, Sharpe James' attorney attempted to convince an appellate court to expunge the convictions, although his efforts failed.

April 6, 2010: Granted Early Release

On April 6, 2010, Sharpe James was granted early release after 18 months served and was banned from running for elected office.

September 2010: Conviction Overturned, Remaining Unchanged

In September 2010, one of Sharpe James's convictions was overturned, but the four remaining convictions were left unchanged.

2011: Lawsuit Filed by Election Law Enforcement Commission

In 2011, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission filed a lawsuit against Sharpe James alleging improper use of campaign funds.

August 17, 2012: Ruled in Favor of Commission

On August 17, 2012, the New Jersey Superior Court ruled in favor of the commission and ordered that both Sharpe James and Johnson had to pay the money back.

February 2013: Appeal Dismissed

In February 2013, Sharpe James's appeal seeking to overturn the convictions due to a juror being dishonest was dismissed.

2013: Published Book, Advised Son's Campaign, Endorsed Cory Booker

In 2013, Sharpe James published his book "Political Prisoner", advised his son John Sharpe James's election campaign, and endorsed Cory Booker for U.S. Senator.