PAGE 18
term incumbent. Davis had lost to Hilliard in 2000. In 1994, Chaka Fattah, then
36, defeated 62-year old Congressman Lucien Blackwell in Philadelphia.
2
Notably, the retail industry. Before the riots, three department stores dominated
downtown Newark: Bambergers, Hahnes, and Kresge’s. Each would downsize
and eventually close their flagship downtown stores while expanding into the
suburbs. Kresge’s would close in 1967 (having been re-named Chase-Newark in
1964); Hahnes in 1986, and Bambergers (which had taken the parent company
Macy’s name in 1986) in 1992. There are no longer any department stores in
Newark.
3
In Newark, if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off is held
between the top two vote-getters. While Smith was never seen as a threat to
overtake either James or Booker, he did have the potential to force a run-off
between the two. While party affiliation is not indicated on the ballot, candidates
can identify themselves by a slogan and organize slates of council candidates.
James’ slogan was “The Real Deal,” Booker’s was “Change We Want,
Leadership We Need,” and Smith’s was “New Newark Social Order.”
4
James annually sponsors a summer picnic at the Craigmeur recreational complex
in Rockaway Township.
Convention