Kenneth Gibson First Black Mayor for 16 Years of Newark Dies at 86

Kenneth Gibson who in 1970 beat two-term Newark Mayor Hugh Addonizio died on March 29, 2019, he was 86 years old. Gibson was the first African American to have been elected mayor of a northeastern city.

Gibson ran for governor as a Democrat twice but lost. Six years later, he became the first African American president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The Mayor was born in 1932 in Alabama and graduated from the Newark College of Engineering. He also enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Gibson worked for the New Jersey Highway Department as an engineer before becoming a politician.

In 1966, Gibson launched his first political campaign against Addonizio. Leo Carlin was the incumbent. Gibson came in third behind Carlin.

In 1970, Gibson ran for Mayor and won the May municipal election. In 1974, defeated Imperiale and was re-elected. In 1978, Gibson ran unopposed.

The mayor tried to become the Democratic nominee for governor in 1981 and was the first major black contender who attempted to win a statewide office. Gibson came in third.

In 1985 he ran for governor and finished third.

The Mayor tried to come back after being out of politics for twelve years and ran as the Democrat for Essex County Executive against James Treffinger, the Republican. Treffinger defeated Gibson.

Joseph DiVincenzo, Essex County Executive, said in a statement Gibson was a part of the history of Newark. He was mayor of the city in a tough time. He worked very hard, and his contributions to the city helped Newark, New Jersey’s recovery. Gibson was a person who influenced me in my public work, and he was somebody I would call a friend.
Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

New Jersey Globe: Kenneth , first Black mayor of Newark, dies at 86

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