Luis Quintana Sharpe James

Democrat Challenges Senator Sharpe James

For the first time in years, the 29th district Senator will face a challenge in the Democratic Primary Election in June. In another first, Hillside Township will be theater to the certain Democratic election war in the coming weeks.

Over the last six years, the 29th legislative district - made up of Newark's North, East and South wards and all of Hillside - has been represented by Sharpe James.

James, better known as the full-time mayor of the city of Newark, first took on the dual role of Senator/Mayor when Winona Lipman died and he was selected to replace her. James ran unopposed at the time.

But now the long-time mayor of Newark will be facing a challenge for his coveted Senatorial seat, and will have to battle it out with his opponent over the votes in Hillside, no less.

James' opponent, Luis Quintana, is the former Newark Deputy Mayor and is currently a city councilman in Newark. Quintana's platform focuses primarily on "finally offering the people a voice in their government."

"For too long the citizens of the 29th district haven't had someone to represent them," Quintana said.

And that includes Hillside. For as long as James has had tenure as Hillside's senator, James cannot claim anything that he has done to benefit the township, the DISPATCH can reveal.

James has not sponsored or passed any legislation that would affect Hillside. Even his staff has no Hillside resident on the payroll.

Perhaps James' greatest absence is felt on the issue of school funding. As the Hillside school board makes drastic budget cuts, board members have been looking to Trenton and wondering why Hillside has not received more state aid.

In 1999, when Barbara Rowen served as Hillside's mayor, James stated that "Hillside had nothing to fear" as long as he was Senator; Hillside could rely, he said, on his representation to ensure that the town would receive a fair share of school funding.

But a few years later, Hillside cannot account for any of James' promises - a fact Quintana hopes to make clear as he walks the campaign trail in Hillside.

James, too, has set a satellite headquarters in Hillside at the blessing of the Hillside Democratic Committee and recently spoke at the Hillside Public Library - a sign surely indicating that Election Day is at hand.

Strategists believe that James and Quintana are neck-in-neck, but Hillside political observers feel strongly that James' reputation in Hillside is tarnished.

"Sharpe James has never cared a dime about Hillside," one voter said, "He's only showing his mug around now because he's got an opponent. But most people aren't going to be fooled by that."

The DISPATCH will be following the Primary election closely.