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NJ Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65

Published

7 months ago

April 26, 2024

Rep. Donald Payne Jr. died Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy reported. He has been hospitalized since struggling a coronary heart assault from diabetes problems on April 6.

A Newark native, Payne was first elected to symbolize New Jersey’s tenth Congressional District in Washington in 2012, succeeding his father within the publish. He additionally served on the Metropolis Council in Newark and as a freeholder in Essex County.

The 65-year-old congressman was in secure situation beneath physician’s care, mentioned an announcement launched by his workplace on April 17.

The governor mentioned he and first girl Tammy Murphy are “deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our good friend, and a steadfast champion for the folks of New Jersey.”

Congressman Donald Payne Jr. speaks at the press conference along the Hackensack River. Wednesday, September 7, 2022

“Along with his signature bow tie, large coronary heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the perfect of public service. As a former union employee and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working households face, and he fought valiantly to serve their wants, each single day,” Murphy mentioned. “Donald’s love will dwell on within the houses of his neighbors in Newark, who now have entry to protected ingesting water, and within the good-paying jobs he helped create for his brothers and sisters in labor.”

Whereas in Washington, Payne chaired the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Supplies within the Home Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He performed a job in securing $900 million for the state’s Gateway Mission in 2017.

He was additionally an advocate for well being care alternatives, lead testing at school water and most cancers prevention consciousness.

Payne is survived by his spouse, Beatrice, and their three kids, Donald III, Jack and Yvonne.

Outpouring of sympathy

Payne’s congressional colleagues remembered him fondly as phrase of his dying unfold. Rep. Invoice Pascrell Jr. mentioned he was “anguished and devastated” by Payne’s dying.

“Like his father, Donald gave his complete life to the folks of Newark. I can’t consider any member at any time who embodied the compassion, kindness, honesty, large coronary heart, and humble demeanor central to public service greater than Donald,” Pascrell mentioned. “Donald will likely be tremendously missed, and he introduced peace and luxury to the Congress in all the pieces he did. Generally leaders come and go, however that isn’t the case right here. We now have misplaced Donald far too quickly, however the Payne title will dwell on in Newark and North Jersey perpetually.”

Rep. Frank Pallone mentioned the state “misplaced a very nice public servant far too quickly” and that Payne was greater than only a member of the delegation however was “a part of our household.”

“Don affectionately known as me ‘Uncle Frank’ at any time when I noticed him, as a result of we cherished the robust relationship we solid following the dying of his father,” Pallone mentioned. “We labored collectively to enhance the lives and well being of New Jerseyans. His struggle to boost consciousness for diabetes and colorectal most cancers prevention in addition to his advocacy for changing lead pipes in Newark epitomized the very definition of public service.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer known as it a “privilege to serve with Payne,” and Rep. Mikie Sherrill mentioned he was a “mannequin public servant.”

Essex County Government Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. known as Payne a “passionate chief and advocate” and mentioned the “Payne household has a legacy of public service, and Donald Payne Jr. continued that custom.”

Payne’s “devotion to the residents of Newark” was acknowledged by Mayor Ras Baraka, who mentioned the congressman had a “expertise for participating a large spectrum of collaborators for initiatives he promoted, and strived to extend inclusive alternatives and variety by inviting women- and minority-owned companies.”

“Because the son and namesake of the primary African American to symbolize New Jersey as a U.S. congressman, Consultant Payne had management and love for Newark in his DNA,” Baraka mentioned. “All Newarkers mourn the lack of this nice, compassionate man immediately.”

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What occurs subsequent?

Paine was operating unopposed on this 12 months’s Democratic major, set for June 4. He had served six phrases in Congress and was elected to his seat after the dying of his father, Donald Payne Sr., who represented Newark in Congress from 1989 till his dying in 2012.

Since ballots have already gone out, his title will stay in place and after the first is licensed, the county committees within the district will resolve who would be the candidate in November.

Murphy has two choices as to when voters within the district will have the ability to fill the seat for the rest of this time period although. There have to be a particular election since there are greater than six months left on the time period.

The governor can name a particular major election, which have to be held 70 to 76 days after he broadcasts his choice after which a particular normal election have to be held 64 to 70 days after the particular major election.