“He understood that public office is not about doing what’s best for individual politics or promotion but what’s right for the people we serve. “Ron Rice will leave the state Senate as one of its most transformational members, a true maverick whose legacy of legislative successes will stand clearly on its own,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Everybody respects him,” said Essex County Democratic Party Chairman LeRoy Jones, a former state assemblyman who also serves as the Democratic State Party Chair. I am going to miss my colleague, but he always remains my friend.” There is no other more authentic, loyal, or devoted public servant. “Senator Rice has been our legislative leader in the 28th District for the past 16 years,” said his slate mate since 2008, Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-28). In a sign of the esteem and respect the senator holds in Trenton, during the last budget session and his notable absence, no one else occupied his parking space.Įssex sources close to the senator tell InsiderNJ that his long time ally, fellow Newarker and ally Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-28) will Assemblywoman Tucker, with Senator Rice and Assemblyman Ralph Caputo. “I’m thankful for how you sharpened my focus, defined by aspirations and brought out the best in me for the sake of my constituents,” Rice wrote. The senator shared both his gratitude and his sense of the value of friendships forged in Trenton, both past and present. I am especially heartened by our desperately needed accomplishments toward racial equality and social justice.” “I am proud of the many ways we have worked together to improve life in every community in our state, across every demographic. To his fellow senators, the senator said he tendered his resignation “with a full heart,” describing his 35-year service as a New Jersey State Senator as the honor of his life. “Together we have been etching compassion and equality into our society, one issue, and sometimes one person, at a time.” “As I announce my retirement this is a heart-wrenching letter to compose,” Senator Rice wrote to the Legislative Black Caucus. The ailing Essex County Senator this week sent letters (printed below) to the Senate Majority Office and to his colleagues in the Legislative Black Caucus and a personalized letter to each of his fellow senators.
At a recent gathering of Essex County Democrats, the senator’s longtime friend, political ally and colleague former Governor Richard Codey, identified him as “the most ethical” elected official in New Jersey. The coming retirement of the unbought, unbossed, accessible and publicly accountable Rice – from the seat he has held as an independent Democratic Party voice since 1986 – represents a major political event in New Jersey, a state governed by machine politics. The 76-year old Senator Rice has been in ill health this year, and not the same since the 2020 death of his beloved wife Shirley, but only until recent weeks no less combative on his prized issues. Rice, the state senator representing Newark’s 28th District, today shared with his senate colleagues news of his retirement, effective August 31st.
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