Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James Isn't Done With Politics Yet

On a warm Monday afternoon, more than 100 religious leaders packed the Broad Street headquarters of Democrat Phil Murphy's campaign for governor in Downtown Newark. Most were black preachers, dressed in suits and greeting each other in brotherly love, while gospel music blared from speakers placed strategically around the packed room. But there were rabbis and Muslim leaders there, too, and Mayor Ras Baraka.

And in the rear, reclining in a chair, was Sharpe James — the controversial, charismatic, colorful former mayor of Newark.

James hasn't disappeared. Locals spot him around town regularly. In fact, when he steps outside, several passersby call out to him from the street: "We miss you, Mayor."

James beams, throws out an arm and waves: "Hello, hello, hello — God bless."

"They know someone who for 38 years got beat up in the city of Newark," he says. "I still have my scars. I still bleed a little."

Those scars include his 2008 conviction on federal fraud charges that sent him to prison. The prosecutor on that case was then-U. S. Attorney Chris Christie.

Now, the former mayor is spending some of his time in retirement promoting the man he says should replace Christie for governor — Phil Murphy. 

"The Bible says, the last shall be first, and the day that we met with Phil Murphy he was last in the polls," James said, as if it were symbolic.

He was starting to sounding like a preacher himself.

James said he and several city leaders met with every candidate before deciding to back Murphy.

He said he believes Murphy's can unify the state, and has the finance background to grow the economy and protect employee pensions.