A True Maverick Retires

November 15, 2022November 21, 2022 R.L. Witter

Senator Ronald Rice Retires Leaving 35-Year Legacy

New Jersey’s longest serving state senator, Ron Rice, ended a stellar 35-year career in state and city government upon his retirement on August 31, 2022. Rice was honored at a ceremony led by US Congress Rep. Donald Payne Jr., renaming Sanford Place in the Vailsburg section of Newark “State Senator Ronald L. Rice Way” on September 10.

The Newark native’s entire life reflected his dedication to service. Former US Marine Sergeant (1966-70) and Vietnam War veteran Rice joined the Newark Police Department (NPD) and rose to the rank of detective (1972-80). He retired from NPD and entered politics, first serving on the Newark City Council (1982-98), then as deputy mayor (2002-06). He was elected to the State Senate in 1986 and worked simultaneously in Newark Municipal government until 2006.

Many of Rice’s contemporaries in the Senate and other elected officials commented on his retirement and years of service to New Jersey and to Newark. “Ron Rice will leave the [NJ] Senate as one of its most transformational members, a true maverick whose legacy of legislative successes will stand clearly on its own,” said NJ Governor Phil Murphy. The Governor continued “…his resignation leaves a huge void in the legislature that will be hard to fill. I will always be proud to have called him my partner, but even prouder to call him my friend.”

Essex County Executive, Joseph D. Vincenzo announced an initiative to name the athletic complex under construction in Essex County Vailsburg Park as the “Ronald L. Rice Athletic Complex.”

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