PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ – New Jersey Republican Assemblyman Ron Dancer passed away at the age of 73. His colleague, Sam Thomspon today said paid respects to the longtime legislator and former Mayor of Plumsted
“Assemblyman Dancer served the people of our legislative district with tireless energy and unwavering commitment. He was a true gentleman in the Legislature. It was an honor to have him on our team representing the hard-working residents of the 12th District. He will be missed in the halls of the state house and in the local municipalities he loved,” Thompson said. “My thoughts and prayers go out for his wife, Brenda, and their children and grandchildren.”
Governor Phil Murphy announced that flags at the Statehouse will fly at half mast in recognition of Dancer’s service which includes three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Dancer served in the United States Army from 1969-1971. At home, he professionally raced and trained horses for 30 years, following in the footsteps of his father Stanley Dancer, the Hall of Fame Harness Horse Racing driver.
“I am saddened by the news that Assemblyman Ron Dancer has passed away. I simply cannot express my deep respect for this leader. He was truly a man of integrity, civility, and love for everyone,” said New Jersey Republican Senator John Bramnick. “Ron Dancer should be a model for all elected officials. I would only hope that people will learn from this great man.”
Dancer’s successor will be chosen by a special GOP election, but in recent months, GOP insiders said Jackson Mayor Michael Reina has been jockeying for the spot by lobbying party officials since Dancer’s longtime illness was first reported publicly.
In the wake of this month’s GOP chairman’s election which could be a contentious one as the party remains split between the Monmouth County aligned GOP with the former Holman regime and the new Ocean County GOP regime aligned behind Ocean County Chairman George Gilmore. Then there’s also the Burlington and Middlesex County votes in the race.
New Jersey’s 12th legislative district spans from Burlington County to Central New Jersey, across 60 plus miles with such a diverse landscape to include farmlands, suburbs and some urbanized centers.
The New Jersey Senate Republicans noted as a New Egypt native, Dancer was serving as Plumsted Township mayor in 2002 when district Republicans tapped him to fill a vacancy created by Assemblyman Melvin Cottrell’s passing. He most recently served on the Assembly agriculture and food security, military and veterans’ affairs, and tourism, gaming and the arts committees.
“Ron’s 20 years in the Assembly are marked not only by his tireless efforts to serve his constituents, even during his illness, but his willingness to work across party lines to accomplish what he believed was best for all New Jerseyans,” Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Warren) said. “He was a true patriot, statesman, gentleman, and my good friend. He will be sorely missed. My prayers and those of our conference are with his beloved wife Brenda and their family.”
“No service member who ever stepped foot in New Jersey had a greater ally than Ron. His most powerful pieces of legislation honored and protected those who selflessly serve their fellow countrymen.” DiMaio added. “Likewise, his passion for agriculture and horse racing is evident in the bills he sponsored to strengthen and safeguard those industries.”
Related:
- Dancer Introduces Bill to Ensure Non-Citizens Don’t Vote in New Jersey Elections
- Dancer Counters New Jersey Democrats’ ‘Right to Die’ Bill With ‘Right to Try’
- Dancer Says Unemployment Claims Must be Processed Quicker by State
- Dancer Team Slams Murphy For Shortchanging Jersey Shore School Districts in Latest Budget