Voters in two legislative districts had special races on their ballot. Democrat Renee Burgess was elected to fill the seat of former state Sen. Ron Rice (D-Essex), who retired in August amid health issues. Rice was the longest-serving Black lawmaker in state history, spending 35 years representing his district. Burgess is the former president of Irvington City Council.
Republican Alex Sauickie will temporarily fill Assemblyman Ronald Dancer’s seat. Dancer was an Ocean County Republican who died in July at age 73 after serving his district for roughly two decades. Sauickie is a businessman from Jackson.
Both will serve until at least those terms expire in 2024.
