Renee C. Burgess is a Democratic member of the New Jersey Senate representing the 28th Legislative District, which encompasses municipalities in Essex and Union counties. The district's most populous communities include Newark, Irvington, Bloomfield, and Hillside. Burgess was appointed to the Senate on September 29, 2022, to fill the unexpired term of Senator Ronald L. Rice, who retired after 35 years in office. She won election to a full term in November 2023.

Born on April 5, 1971, Burgess is a lifelong resident of Irvington. She earned an associate degree in business from Essex County College, a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from Pillar College, and a master's degree in public affairs and administration from Metropolitan College of New York. Her professional career spans more than 10 years in customer service and payroll at Merck Pharmaceutical, six years supervising operations at CA One Services at Newark Airport, and more than 11 years as an asset manager at CIT Capital in Livingston where she oversaw accounts valued up to $1.2 million. She also served as purchasing clerk for Irvington Township and as supervisor of accounts and human resources administrator for the Irvington Housing Authority.

Burgess began her public service in 2000 as district leader for Irvington's South Ward 2. She was elected to the Irvington Board of Education in 2002, served as vice president from 2005 to 2007 and president from 2007 to 2009, and remained on the board until 2014 — the longest-serving member in its history. In 2014 she was elected council member-at-large for Irvington, was re-elected in 2018, and served as council president from October 2019 to September 2022. She is the first state senator from Irvington.

Political Career

• District Leader, Irvington South Ward 2 (2000–present)
• Member, Irvington Board of Education (2002–2014), including Vice President (2005–2007) and President (2007–2009)
• Council Member-At-Large, Irvington Township Council (2014–2022)
• President, Irvington Township Council (2019–2022)
• New Jersey State Senate, District 28 (2022–present)

Key Policy Areas

• Budget and appropriations
• Health, human services, and senior citizens
• Housing affordability
• Public education
• Small business development and economic growth
• Gun violence prevention

Notable Actions / Initiatives

• Appointed to the State Senate in September 2022, to fill the unexpired term of Senator Ronald L. Rice after 35 years of service, becoming the first senator from Irvington and the first African-American woman to hold the seat.
• Won a full term in November 2023
• Spearheaded a district-wide student uniform policy while president of the Irvington Board of Education.
• Led development of the Irvington High School football field as a council member.
• Serves as Essex County Director of Small Business Development, championing entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Education

• A.S., Business, Essex County College
• B.A., Organizational Leadership, Pillar College
• M.P.A., Public Affairs and Administration, Metropolitan College of New York

Personal

• Birth date: April 5, 1971
• Residence: Irvington