Senator Ronald L. Rice, who is one of the senior ranking Senators in the state of NewJersey, was first elected to the New Jersey State Senate, 28th Legislative District,by special election on November 18, 1986, filling the unexpired term of the late JohnP. Caufield. He was sworn into office on December 4, 1986.
The Senator has since been re-elected to seven (7) additional terms, in 1987, 1991,1993, 1997 2001, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2013. The Senator has served as the Senate Assistant Deputy Majority Leader, the Assistant Deputy Minority Leader, the Associate Minority Leader and Vice Chair of the Senate Law and Public Safety and VeteranAffairs Committee.
The Senator is best known for fighting for the rights of the people, unbossed and his refusal to be controlled by individuals and special interest groups who simply want a rubber stamp or to control his destiny and that of his constituents for their personal gains. Prior to his Senate election, Senator Rice was elected to the Newark Municipal Council as the first African-American to ever hold the city of Newark’sWest Ward Council seat.
Further, making history as State Senator and Newark Councilman, he was the firstAfrican-American in the history of the state of New Jersey to hold both a state government elected office and local government elected office elected at the same time.
Born in Richmond, Virginia Senator Rice moved to Newark, New Jersey with his family in 1955. He graduated from South Side High School (now Malcolm X Shabazz) and also attended Essex County College (Who’s Who in America honors), Howard University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, (Cum Laude honors), Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice where he received his Masters Degree (Deans List honors) and Rutgers University Law School. Senator Rice, is a Vietnam Veteran. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970. Discharged with the rank of sergeant E5, with several honors, an honorable discharge and good conduct medal.
He joined the Newark Police Department in 1972 and served as a Detective until he resigned in 1980. Senator Rice upon leaving the Police Department joined the management team at Public Service Electric and Gas Company as an employee in the Safety and Security Department where he was part of a team that managed the protection of the company’s assets and employees’ safety.
State Senator Ronald L. Rice as one of the senior ranking State Senators in New Jersey over the years has lead the fight, sponsored legislation and supported legislation that has literally brought millions of dollars into his district. For his outstanding leadership role Senator Rice, has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Chamber of Commerce’s 1995 Outstanding Governance award, the New Jersey Pediatric Society’s Person of the Year award for his legislative efforts on behalf of women and children. On July 1, 2002 the Honorable Sharpe James, Mayor of the city of Newark honored the Senator by appointing him Deputy Mayor in the city of Newark, New Jersey.
Senator Ronald L. Rice is presently serving as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, member of the Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee, Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Schools andCo-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Opportunity. Senator Ronald L. Rice has been appointed to a key leadership position within the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). Senator Rice serve as Co-Chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Labor and Workforce Development policy committee.