Former Newark Councilman At-Large and LIUNA labor leader Eddie Osborne has died, InsiderNJ confirmed this afternoon.

A quiet presence who stood at the center of more than a few political storms, notably the 2008 election for the Central Ward Council seat, Mr. Osborne also served as Board Chairman at the Newark Housing Authority.

From the Councilman's Facebook page:

"It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved father, the Honorable Eddie Osborne, former Director of Government Affairs for LIUNA, Councilman-at-Large for the City of Newark, and board Chairman for the Newark Housing Authority.

"He met Parkinson’s disease the way he met every challenge in life: with resolve, grace, and unwavering dignity. Even as the illness took its toll, he never lost his strength, his humor, or his spirit, and our family is deeply grateful for every moment we shared with him.

"Details regarding final arrangements will be shared soon.

"May he rest in eternal peace."

Mr. Osborne ran in the storied 2008 contest for the Central Ward Council seat against Charles Bell in a special election.

Bell versus Osborne occurred following the resignation of Central Ward Councilwoman Dana Rone, a Booker ally who had succeeded Booker as the Central Ward representative.

An ally of then-Mayor Cory Booker, Mr. Osborne hoped to parlay the alliance Booker had forged with presidential candidate Barack Obama into a local win on the general election ballot. Billboards around the city made prominent use of the "O" in "Osborne" to reassert Obama energy then suffusing the city.

Backed by the North Ward Center, Bell defeated Osborne that year in the special election but the latter - a well-heeled organizer with LIUNA - would go on to win the At-Large seat on the 2014 ticket with successful mayoral candidate Ras Baraka.

Mr. Osborne ran for reelection with Team Baraka in 2018 but did not run for reelection in 2022.