Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. has died, almost three weeks after he had a coronary heart assault that left him hospitalized in a coma at Newark Beth Israel Medical Middle. He was 65.
The six-term Democrat and Newark native has represented the tenth Congressional District, which covers elements of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties, since 2012, succeeding his late father, Donald Payne Sr. Mourners are remembering him as a fighter and a good friend to working households, and somebody who, as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka mentioned, had a love for his hometown that was a part of his DNA.
“Consultant Donald M. Payne, Jr. carried his devotion to the residents of Newark from his first teenage involvement as founding father of the Newark South Ward Junior Democrats, by his service as President of our Municipal Council, to his acclaimed advocacy for New Jersey as Consultant in Congress,” Baraka mentioned.
Payne is survived by his spouse, Beatrice, and their triplets, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne.
His father was a trailblazer in New Jersey politics, changing into the primary Black particular person elected to Congress from New Jersey in 1988. When he died in 2012, his son changed him after successful a particular election to fill the remainder of his time period.
Payne served on Congress’ homeland safety and transportation and infrastructure committees and numerous subcommittees, together with railroads, pipelines and dangerous supplies, the place he was rating member. Earlier than becoming a member of Congress, Payne served as a councilman and an Essex County freeholder.
Gov. Phil Murphy issued an announcement saying he and first girl Tammy Murphy are “deeply saddened.”
“Along with his signature bowtie, massive coronary heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the very better of public service,” the governor mentioned. “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. That function was the sunshine that guided him by his early years as Newark Metropolis Council President and through his tenure on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. And it guided him nonetheless by his greater than a decade of service in Congress.”
‘A real titan amongst progressives’
Condolences poured in Wednesday from round New Jersey and past.
Rep. Andy Kim referred to as Payne’s dying “extremely painful information.”
“Donald served New Jersey with such honor, care, and satisfaction. He was a form man who was by no means afraid to struggle for what was proper. We must always aspire to observe that instance,” Kim wrote on social media. “I’m honored I started working alongside such an ideal man, somebody who all the time took time to pay attention, give me recommendation, and arise collectively. Love and energy to his household by this powerful second. All of New Jersey mourns right this moment.”
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. famous Payne’s struggle to lift consciousness for diabetes and colorectal most cancers prevention, in addition to his advocacy for changing lead pipes in Newark.
“New Jersey has misplaced a really nice public servant far too quickly,” Pallone mentioned. “Don affectionately referred to as me ‘Uncle Frank’ each time I noticed him, as a result of we cherished the sturdy relationship we solid following the dying of his father. We labored collectively to enhance the lives and well being of New Jerseyans.”
Payne’s dedication to strengthening public schooling and increasing entry to well being care modified individuals’s lives, Rep. Mikie Sherrill mentioned.
“The recommendation, encouragement, and help Donald provided me once I first entered politics sticks with me to today. Donald was somebody who went out of his strategy to make others really feel welcomed and heard,” Sherrill mentioned.
Rep. Invoice Pascrell, Jr. mentioned he was “anguished and devastated” by Payne’s passing.
“Like his father, Donald gave his total life to the individuals of Newark. I can’t consider any member at any time who embodied the compassion, kindness, honesty, massive coronary heart, and humble demeanor central to public service greater than Donald,” Pascrell mentioned.
State Sen. Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) said Payne was all the time accessible to these he served and was “a real titan amongst progressives.”
Payne’s “dogged dedication” helped win a $900 million federal appropriation for the Gateway Venture to improve the bridges and tunnels connecting Newark to New York Metropolis and enhance the area’s transportation hall, Baraka mentioned.
Payne was operating unopposed to retain his seat within the coming June 4 Democratic main. His title is on the poll and may’t get replaced.
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