Just 11 days after filing petitions to seek a sixth term as Mayor of Newark, NJ, Sharpe James has surprised residents and political observers there by bowing out of the race. His departure leaves the door wide open for former city councilmember Cory Booker to win the office he narrowly lost to James four years ago by just 3,500 votes.
In making the announcement James cited as a reason the fact that he opposed dual office-holding in New Jersey, a common practice that allows mayors to also serve in the Legislature. James also is a state senator.
Whether you believe that reason or not, James was due for a tougher fight this go round. As a politician who had never lost an election, some insiders believed this could be the year, and perhaps James saw the handwriting on the wall. At this stage in the campaign leading up to the May 9 election, Booker has the most endorsements, money and the most firmly entrenched organization.
Newark Deputy Mayor Ron Rice now steps up to try to claim the James supporter base.
2 comments ↓
I was surprised when he didn’t win last time. Some people were quoted as saying, shockingly, ignorantly, that he wasn’t ‘black’ enough.
In this day an age, the light-skinned bruhs still face that crap.
It continues today. James’ replacement in the race trying to play the same card. And it also suggests that if a Black man gets an education, he has somehow sold out or become White. The old “ignorance = authentically Black” form of internalized racism.