'True Gentleman': Ron Dancer, Longtime Assemblyman From Ocean, Mourned

PLUMSTED, NJ ? Ronald Dancer, the son of Hall of Fame harness racing driver Stanley Dancer, is being remembered as "a true gentleman" and a voice for the horse racing community during his 20 years in the New Jersey Assembly in the wake of his death on Saturday.

Dancer, a lifelong resident of the New Egypt section of Plumsted, was 73 and died after a long illness, according to HarnessLink, which reports on the harness racing industry.

He had a long history of public service, starting when he was appointed to the Plumsted Planning Board in 1983 (and served there until 2019). He was elected mayor of Plumsted in 1990 and served in that role through 2011, and was appointed to the state Assembly, serving the 12th District, in 2002. He also served on the township's Municipal Utilities Authority and was the honorary business administrator for five years.

"Assemblyman Dancer served the people of our legislative district with tireless energy and unwavering commitment," Sen. Sam Thompson said. "He was a true gentleman in the Legislature. It was an honor having 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."

Dancer, who was honored with the Rutgers Equine Science Center?s ?Spirit of the Horse? award in November, professionally raced and trained harness horses from 1968 through 1998, following in his father's footsteps. He also served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71.

In the Assembly, he sponsored the legislation to save the future of New Jersey horse racing by authorizing the lease of the Meadowlands racetrack and Monmouth Park to the private sector, according to the Equine Science Center's announcement of the award.

"Horses have always been a part of my life and I am honored to be able to give back to the equine industry, not only because it has been so impactful personally, but also because it is such an important part of New Jersey?s identity," Dancer said at the time.

Dancer served on the boards of numerous equine organizations, including the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture?s Sire Stakes, the U.S. Trotting Association, and the New Jersey Racing Commission.

In the Assembly, he served on the Agriculture and Food Security, the Military and Veterans' Affairs and the Tourism, Gaming and the Arts committees.

"His legislation constitutionally dedicated revenues from sports wagering to horse racing purses," the Equine Science Center said.

"Tammy and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Assemblyman Ron Dancer," Gov. Phil Murphy said Saturday. "True to his roots in one of New Jersey?s storied equestrian racing families, in public service he was a work horse not a show horse. A proud veteran with a quiet demeanor and humble nature, Ron built friendships across the aisle. His focus on New Jersey?s agricultural, horse-racing, and tourist industries, and our honored military veterans, leaves a lasting legacy."

Murphy ordered the state's flags to be lowered to half-staff in his honor.

In addition to his state Legislature service, Dancer had served as chair of the Ocean County Board of Social Services since 1997 and served on the county's Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee since 1998. He also served on the county's Senior Citizens Advisory Board since 2002 and spent five years serving on the Human Services Advisory Council.

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) also highlighted the bipartisan efforts of Dancer, who had been the deputy Republican leader from 2018-2021 and had become the assistant minority leader in the Assembly this year.

"I am saddened to learn of the loss of a true gentleman in New Jersey politics," Coughlin said. "Ron Dancer was always someone who strived to work across the aisle."

"A veteran himself, he leaves behind a legacy of advocacy on behalf of our military men and women. He was also a champion for New Jersey?s agricultural and horse racing communities, and contributed greatly to innovative expansions of our state?s tourism ? most recently being the sponsor of legislation that will widen economic opportunity for our wineries and farms," Coughlin said. "His absence will certainly be felt by all of us in the Assembly and by the residents of Ocean County he faithfully served."

"Ron Dancer was a tireless public servant who served his country in the Army before becoming a highly respected and enormously popular mayor of Plumsted and assemblyman for the 12th Legislative District," U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said. "A great friend to many and true civic leader, Ron was as gracious and considerate as he was hard working and effective. I cannot think of anyone who loved Plumsted and personified the township more than Ron Dancer."

Dancer "was truly a man of integrity, civility, and love for everyone," state Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-21) said. "Ron Dancer should be a model for all elected officials. I would only hope that people will learn from this great man."

Dancer is survived by his wife, Brenda, and their children and grandchildren.