New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. Dead At 65
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.) has died at the age of 65 after being hospitalized earlier this month following a heart attack.
The six-term congressman had been recovering in a hospital following a physical accident at his Newark home on April 6 when he experienced medical complications from his diabetes and high blood pressure. He then suffered a cardiac episode during his treatment, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.
He was “a tireless fighter for New Jersey families as well as job creation, economic growth, protections for children, education, and the health and safety of our communities,” his office said while listing his many public achievements during his 12 years in the House.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) praised him as having “embodied the very best of public service,” while earlierconfirming news of his death.
“Donald’s love will live on in the homes of his neighbors in Newark, who now have access to safe drinking water, and in the good-paying jobs he helped create for his brothers and sisters in labor,” Murphy said.
Payne, a married father of triplets, had served New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, which includes portions of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, since 2012. Prior to this, he was president of Newark’s city council and the Essex County Board of Commissioners.
His Congressional appointment followed him winning a special election to succeed his father, Donald Milford Payne Sr., immediately after his death from colon cancer at the age of 77. His father first took office in 1989 and was the first Black congressman to represent New Jersey.
During his time in office, Payne Jr. introduced the Test for Lead Act, which mandated schools test drinking water for lead. He also advocated for affordable housing, lowering prescription drug costs, regular cancer screenings and government programs that would take guns off the street to curb gun violence.
In his final speech before Congress last month, Payne applauded President Joe Biden’s efforts to reduce housing costs and boost rental assistance in the U.S., calling Biden’s actions “bold” and benefiting millions of Americans.
“It’s the most consequential housing plan in 50 years in this country,” he said.
Payne’s congressional colleagues joined in expressing their devastation and sharing condolences with his family immediately following news of his death, with the late congressman recognized as a “progressive leader on transportation and infrastructure” and “a gentleman who always put people first.”
“His work to invest in minority-owned businesses and build up our nation’s infrastructure were inspirational,” Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“He was a true public servant committed to representing his constituents to the fullest,” Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) wrote on X.
“I loved him like a brother, and I will forever cherish the 10 years I had the honor of working alongside him,” wrote Rep. Bonnie Watson (D-N.J.), while also recognizing him as “a loyal friend” and “dapper dresser.”
The Congressional Black Caucus also praised him as “an advocate for racial justice, equal rights for all, reproductive freedom, free college tuition, and public transportation,” it said in a statement. “He was also a fierce proponent of improving the lives of working families, expanding voting rights, lowering the costs of prescription drugs, and combating the climate crisis.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) also called Payne “indispensable” in his efforts to improve the lives of his constituents.
“Donald was a source of friendship, inspiration, and strength to me for many years, and I’m proud of the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind in the seat his father once held,” he said in a statement.
