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Sharpe James claims to have created over 30,000 jobs. Well that is simply not
true. According to the Department of Labor, Newark residents have lost over
13,000 jobs during Sharpe James’ time as Mayor. During that same time the
Department of Labor reports that Jersey City gained almost 10,000 jobs for its
residents. Newark has been left behind; this is not progress (Booker 2002).
Booker also contended that the mayor had lost touch with the city’s residents.
Citing the mayor’s salary ($248,000) and lifestyle-he owns a vacation home, boats, and a
1980 Rolls Royce—Booker claimed that the mayor no longer understood the needs of the
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city.
Booker’s supporters included the firefighters’ union; the New Community
Corporation (the state’s largest social service organization), the Newark Star-Ledger,
The New York Times, and former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley.
James had the support of the state’s Democratic Party establishment, led by
Governor McGreevey. He also had the support of all of the city’s labor unions, except for
the firefighters’. James took credit for what he called Newark’s “renaissance,” pointing
to the construction of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 4,000 units of single
family housing, and a minor league baseball stadium as proof of Newark’s re-birth.
Electing James to a fifth term would allow him to complete the job. To underscore Mayor
James’ role in the city’s redevelopment, Governor McGreevey promised state support for
a $355-million downtown sports arena, and implied that this promise was contingent on
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the mayor’s re-election. James also took credit for a 50 percent reduction in crime and
the demolition of some Newark public housing projects that were considered among the
Convention