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Donald Payne Jr.

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Donald Payne Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 10th district
In office
November 15, 2012 – April 24, 2024
Preceded byDonald M. Payne
Succeeded byLaMonica McIver
Personal details
Born
Donald Milford Payne Jr.

(1958-12-17)December 17, 1958
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 2024(2024-04-24) (aged 65)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBeatrice Payne
Children3
RelativesDonald M. Payne (father)
William D. Payne (uncle)
Craig A. Stanley (cousin)
EducationKean University
Payne's voice
Payne supporting the School and Daycare Protection Act
Recorded April 5, 2022

Donald Milford Payne Jr. (December 17, 1958 – April 24, 2024) was an American politician who was the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 10th congressional district from 2012 until his death in 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, Payne served as president of the Newark city council from 2010 to 2012.[1][2]

Following the death of his father, U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, on March 6, 2012, Payne ran in the primary to succeed him in Congress. His father was first elected in 1988 and reelected 11 times without significant opposition.[3][4][5] Payne Jr. won the June 5, 2012, Democratic primary election, which is tantamount to election in the heavily Democratic district,[6] and the November 6, 2012, general election.[7] Payne Jr. was re-elected five times prior to his death in office in 2024.

Early life, education, and early career

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Payne was born on December 17, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey,[8] where he was also raised alongside his two sisters, Wanda and Nicole. He was a 1976 graduate of Hillside High School.[9] His father, Donald M. Payne, served in the United States House of Representatives from 1989 until his death in 2012, and was the first African-American to represent the state of New Jersey in Congress.[10] His mother, Hazel Payne (née Johnson), died in 1963 when Payne was five years old.[11]

As a teenager, he founded and was the first president of the Newark South Ward Junior Democrats.[12] He studied graphic arts at Kean University. He was an adviser at the YMCA Youth in Government program.[13]

Payne worked for the New Jersey Highway Authority from 1991 until he joined the Essex County Educational Services Commission in 1996, where he worked as the Supervisor of Student Transportation.[14]

Newark Municipal Council

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In 2010, Payne was reelected to the Municipal Council of Newark with 19% of the vote. Other candidates elected were Mildred C. Crump, Luis Quintana, and Carlos Gonzales.[15]

As a city councilman, Payne supported Planned Parenthood, stem cell research, Medicaid, and education funding.[16]

In July 2010, Payne was elected president of the Newark City Council, succeeding Crump.[17]

Payne's committee assignments included Health, Education, and Recreation.[14]

Essex County Board of Freeholders

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In 2005, Payne was one of four candidates elected to the at-large seat, serving from January 1, 2006, to November 6, 2012. He finished first with 19% of the vote.[18] In 2008, he was reelected to a second term with 20% of the vote.[19] In 2011, he was reelected to a third term with 18% of the vote.[20][21]

U.S. House of Representatives

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2012 special election

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See also: 2012 New Jersey's 10th congressional district special election

After his father's death, Payne declared his intention to run in the special election to fill the remainder of his father's 12th term, and the regularly scheduled election for the full two-year term beginning in January 2013.[22] The primaries for both elections were held on June 5, and the general elections on November 6.

According to documents filed on May 24 with the Federal Election Commission, Payne both raised and spent more money than any other Democratic candidate.[23] House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsed Payne on May 22.[24]

In the Democratic primary for the special election, Payne faced Ronald C. Rice (son of State Senator Ronald Rice) and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith. He won the primary with 71% of the vote to Rice's 25% and Smith 5%.[25]

In the Democratic primary for the full term, Payne faced Rice, Smith, State Senator Nia Gill, Cathy Wright of Newark, and Dennis R. Flynn of Glen Ridge.[26] He won with 60% of the vote, to Rice's 19%, Gill's 17%. Smith, Wright, and Flynn combined for about 5% of the vote.[27]

After the election, Payne noted, "I've said that I'm following a legacy and I'm not backing away from that."[28]

2012

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In the November 6 general election, Payne defeated Republican nominee Brian C. Kelemen with 87% of the vote.[29] He ran unopposed for the special election to fill the remainder of his father's term. The 10th is a heavily Democratic, black-majority district, and Payne had effectively assured himself election with his primary victory. He is only the fourth person to represent this district since 1929.

2014

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See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey § District 10

Payne faced three minor opponents in the Democratic primary, but was handily renominated with over 91% of the vote.[30] Payne faced Republican Yolanda Dentley and two independents in the general election, and was re-elected with 85.4% of the vote.[31]

2016

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See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey § District 10

Payne was unopposed in the Democratic primary in 2016.[32] He faced Republican David Pinckney and two independents in the general election, and won with 85.7% of the vote.[33]

2018

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See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey § District 10

Payne easily dispatched his only challenger in the primary, Aaron Walter Fraser, with a margin of 91.7%–8.3%.[34] Payne would defeat Republican Agha Khan, Libertarian Scott DiRoma, and two independents in the general election, receiving 86.7% of the vote.[35]

2020

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See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey § District 10

Payne faced two challengers in the 2020 Democratic primary, but won renomination with 88.5% of the vote.[36] Then in the general election he defeated Republican Jennifer Zinone, Libertarian John Mirrione, and two independents, receiving 83.3% of the vote.[37]

2022

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See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey § District 10

Payne faced two challengers, Imani Oakley and Akil Khafani. He defeated both of them, receiving 83.3% of the vote.[38] Then in the general election he faced Republican David Pinckney, Libertarian Kendal Ludden, and two independents. He would be re-elected with 77.6% of the vote.[39]

Tenure

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Payne was sworn into office on November 15, 2012. He thus had two months more seniority than other members of the 2012 House freshman class.[40][41] He co-sponsored the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 and the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill aimed at expanding the scope of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Fair Labor Standards Act.[42][43] Payne also co-sponsored H.R. 41, authorizing $30.4 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program to victims of Hurricane Sandy.[44]

On March 24, 2014, Payne introduced the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act (H.R. 4289; 113th Congress) a bill that would require the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), within 120 days of the bill's enactment, to devise a strategy to improve communications among DHS agencies.[45][46] DHS would be required to submit regular reports to Congress on its progress and the decisions it makes.[46]

Payne voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[47]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Personal life and death

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Payne lived in Newark with his wife, Beatrice. They were the parents of triplets.[50]

On April 6, 2024, Payne was hospitalized at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center following a heart attack that his office said was a complication of diabetes.[51][52] He remained unconscious and on a ventilator until his death on April 24, at the age of 65.[53] He would posthumously win the New Jersey Primary on June 4, 2024, in which he was the only candidate on the ballot.[54]

Electoral history

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New Jersey's 10th congressional district: Results 2012–2022
Year Democratic Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
2012 (special) Donald Payne Jr. 166,413 97.4% Joanne Miller Independent 4,500 2.6% [27]
2012 201,435 87.6% Brian Kelemen 24,271 10.5% Joanne Miller 3,127 1.4% Robert Shapiro Libertarian 1,227 0.5% [29]
2014 95,734 85.4% Yolanda Dentley 14,154 12.6% Gwendolyn A. Franklin 1,237 1.1% Dark Angel Independent 998 0.9% [31]
2016 190,856 85.7% David H. Pinckney 26,450 11.8% Joanne Miller 3,719 1.7% Aaron Walter Fraser 1,746 0.8% [33]
2018 175,253 87.6% Agha Khan 20,191 10.1% Cynthia Johnson 2,070 1.0% Joanne Miller 2,038 1.0% [35]
2020 241,522 83.3% Jennifer Zinone 40,298 13.9% Akil Khalfani 3,537 1.2% Liah Fitchette 3,480 1.2% [37]
2022 99,613 77.6% David Pinckney 25,792 20.1% Cynthia Johnson 1,955 1.5% Kendal Ludden Libertarian 624 0.5% [39]

* In 2018, Libertarian candidate Scott DiRoma garnered 0.3% of the vote. In 2020, Libertarian candidate John Mirrione garnered 0.4%. In 2022, Independent candidate Clenard J. Childress, Jr. garnered 0.3%.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Council President Donald M. Payne Jr". The Ujima Awards. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  2. ^ Fox, Joey; Wildstein, David (April 24, 2024). "Donald Payne, six-term congressman from New Jersey, dies at 65". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  3. ^ Friedman, Matt. "Pascrell, Donald Payne Jr. win key races in highly contested N.J. Congressional primaries" Archived June 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, June 5, 2012. Accessed April 18, 2019.
  4. ^ Rizzo, Salvador "N.J. 10th Congressional District winner: Donald Payne Jr." Archived November 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, November 6, 2012. Accessed April 18, 2019.
  5. ^ Donald M. Payne, First Black Elected to Congress From New Jersey, Dies at 77 Archived November 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine,The New York Times, Raymond Hernandez, March 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  6. ^ Friedman, Matt. "Pascrell, Donald Payne Jr. win key races in highly contested N.J. Congressional primaries" Archived June 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, June 5, 2012. Accessed June 9, 2012.
  7. ^ Rizzo, Salvador "N.J. 10th Congressional District winner: Donald Payne Jr." Archived November 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, November 6, 2012. Accessed November 7, 2012.
  8. ^ "PAYNE, Donald, Jr. – Biographical Information". Archived from the original on December 14, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  9. ^ Raymond Hernandez (March 6, 2012). "Donald M. Payne, First Black Elected to Congress From New Jersey, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  10. ^ "PAYNE, Donald Milford, (1934–2012)". bioguide.congress.gov. Archived from the original on December 30, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  11. ^ Wasniewski, Matthew (October 3, 2008). Black Americans in Congress, 1870–2007 *Current Members* Donald M. Payne 1934 – United States House of Representatives Democrat From New Jersey 1989–. Government Printing Office. ISBN 9780160801945. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  12. ^ NJ.com, Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for (April 24, 2024). "N.J. congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies". nj. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Staff • •, NBC New York (April 24, 2024). "NJ congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies following hospitalization earlier in April". Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Full Biography". December 27, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  15. ^ "Our Campaigns – Newark City Council At Large Race – May 11, 2010". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  16. ^ Donald M. Payne Jr. President, Newark City Council Freeholder-at-Large, Essex County Archived June 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Newark, New Jersey. Accessed June 9, 2012
  17. ^ "Councilman-At-Large Donald M. Payne Elected New President of Newark Municipal Council" Archived May 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Newark, New Jersey, July 1, 2010. Accessed June 9, 2012.
  18. ^ "Our Campaigns – Essex County Freeholder At-Large Race – Nov 08, 2005". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  19. ^ "Our Campaigns – Essex County Freeholder At-Large Race – Nov 04, 2008". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  20. ^ "Our Campaigns – Essex County Freeholders At-Large Race – Nov 08, 2011". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "The County of Essex Board of Chosen Freeholders". Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  22. ^ Giambusso, David (March 17, 2012). "Donald Payne Jr. to seek father's Congressional seat". nj. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  23. ^ "Payne Jr. leading Dem. primary fundraising battle". Newsday. Associated Press. May 25, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  24. ^ Giambusso, David (May 22, 2012). "Nancy Pelosi endorses Donald Payne Jr. to replace late father in N.J.'s 10th District". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  25. ^ "Unofficial Primary Election Results: Special Election – US House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  26. ^ Giambusso, David (May 24, 2012). "In packed 10th District congressional election, Donald Payne Jr. is viewed as front-runner". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  27. ^ a b Giambusso, David (June 5, 2012). "Donald Payne Jr. wins Democratic nomination for House seat in N.J.'s 10th District". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  28. ^ Siddiqui, Sabrina (June 5, 2012). "New Jersey City Councilman Succeeds Late Father In Congress". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  29. ^ a b nj.gov (January 22, 2013). "Official List Candidates for House of Representatives For GENERAL ELECTION 11/06/2012 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  30. ^ "NJ Division of Elections" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  31. ^ a b "Election Information" (PDF). NJ Department of State. November 4, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 6, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  32. ^ "Official Results" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Election Information" (PDF). NJ Department of State. November 8, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  34. ^ "2018 Official Primary Results for the U.S. House" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Johnson, Cheryl L. (February 28, 2019). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 2018". Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  36. ^ "2020-official-primary-results-us-house.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. April 24, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Official General Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 29, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  38. ^ "2022 Official Primary Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State – Division of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  39. ^ a b "2022 Official General Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State – Division of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  40. ^ "House Floor Activities: Legislative Day of November 15, 2012". Washington, D.C.: Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  41. ^ "Payne Takes Office". payne.house.gov. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  42. ^ "H.R.11 – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013". congress.gov. January 29, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  43. ^ "H.R.377 – Paycheck Fairness Act". congress.gov. January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  44. ^ "H.R.41 – To temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program". congress.gov. January 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  45. ^ "CBO – H.R. 4289". Congressional Budget Office. June 19, 2014. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  46. ^ a b "DHS Interoperable Communications Act Aims To Achieve Interoperable Communications". Homeland Security Today. July 9, 2014. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  47. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  48. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  49. ^ "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  50. ^ "Heroes Who Walk Beside Us: Congressman Donald Payne, Jr". Insider NJ. April 18, 2024. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  51. ^ Wildstein, David; Fox, Joey (April 17, 2024). "Donald Payne remains unconscious eleven days after heart attack". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  52. ^ Suter, Tara (April 10, 2024). "NJ Democrat hospitalized following 'cardiac episode'". The Hill. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  53. ^ Fox, Joey; Wildstein, David (April 24, 2024). "Donald Payne, Six-Term Congressman From New Jersey, Dies At 65". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  54. ^ CBS News June 5, 2024
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 10th congressional district
2012–2024 		Succeeded by
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