Newark North Ward Councilmember Anibal Ramos, Jr, Newark Council At-Large Members Luis Quintana, and Carlos Gonzalez have announced their endorsement of Irvington Council President Renee C. Burgess to replace Ronald L. Rice as the state senator in New Jersey Legislative District 28.

“I am so excited to endorse Irvington Council President Renee Burgess.  I have worked with her as members of the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union Counties, and I know firsthand she has the desire to serve our community,” Ramos said. “Renee Burgess has the experience that we need in our next state senator, and I ask District 28 to join me in supporting her.”

“As the President of the Irvington City Council, Renee Burgess knows what it takes to help municipal governments,” Quintana said.  “Renee will be our voice in Trenton to help our residents and bring local perspective to the laws being drafted in the Senate.”

“Renee Burgess is a brilliant public servant.  She has served as a member of the Irvington Town Council and Board of Education and has been involved in numerous organizations and initiatives,” Gonzalez said.  “Her career has prepared her to represent the residents of the 28^th Legislative District.  I passionately support Renee Burgess as our next State Senator.”

After serving over three decades in the New Jersey State Senate, Ron Rice retired on Aug. 31. Ramos, Quintana, and Gonzalez are supporting Burgess to serve as the interim Senator until the Nov. 8 general election and to appear on the ballot in November to fill the remainder of the term. The Essex County Democratic Committee will host a special meeting on Friday, Sept 9 to choose a candidate to fill the vacancy.

Burgess has served on the Irvington Town Council since 2014 and has been the council president since 2019. Previously, she served on the Irvington Board of Education from 2003 to 2014, becoming one of the longest serving members in school board history.

She was employed for over 10 years in customer service and payroll at the pharmaceutical company, Merck, six years at CA One Services at Newark Liberty International Airport and 11 years as an asset manager for CIT Capital. She received numerous awards recognizing her for her professionalism and leadership. Previously, she was employed by the Township of Irvington as the purchasing clerk and payroll and purchasing specialist and by the Irvington Housing Authority as supervisor of accounts and human resource administrator.