NJ Congressman Up For Re-Election Dies: Donald Payne Jr. Mourned

NEWARK, NJ — Donald Payne Jr., a longtime congressman from New Jersey known for his signature bowtie, advocacy for the working class and “big heart,” died this week at the age of 65.

Payne, a Newark resident who represents the state’s 10th Congressional District, was hospitalized earlier this month after he suffered a heart attack related to his diabetes. See Related: NJ Congressman Still Hospitalized After Cardiac Episode

Despite initial reports that he was “expected to make a full recovery,” the lawmaker ultimately passed away. A spokesperson for Payne's office provided Patch with a statement about the congressman's death on Wednesday (read the full version below).

"Congressman Payne experienced a physical accident at home on April 6 which necessitated hospitalization," he said. "During his treatment for this health issue, he faced medical complications due to diabetes and high blood pressure that led to subsequent cardiorespiratory arrest. Despite the dedicated efforts of the medical staff to treat him and improve his health, they were unable to prevent his passing unfortunately."

Gov. Phil Murphy said he and first lady Tammy Murphy are “deeply saddened” by Payne’s death.

“With his signature bowtie, big heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the very best of public service,” the governor wrote. “As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working families face, and he fought valiantly to serve their needs, every single day. That purpose was the light that guided him through his early years as Newark City Council President and during his tenure on the Essex County Board of Commissioners. And it guided him still through his more than a decade of service in Congress.”

“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 added. “And it will live on in his wife Beatrice, and their three children, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, who were the pride of his life.”

The congressman had been open about his struggles with diabetes, recently writing that he dealt with daily health complications related to the disease, including regular dialysis treatments. He was a strong advocate for lowering drug prices for crucial medication such as insulin.

• See Related: Rep. Payne Of NJ Has Personal Link To Drug Costs Bill – Diabetes
• See Related: NJ Congressman With Diabetes Makes Plea To Minority Organ Donors

Payne – who was once named as New Jersey’s “most popular member of the U.S. House of Representatives” – was running unopposed in the June primary election for the Democratic nomination.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. pointed to the “Payne legacy,” which includes the departed congressman’s late father, Donald Payne Sr., who also served in the 10th District in Congress and was the first Black lawmaker to represent New Jersey in Washington D.C.

“He was a passionate leader and advocate who adored Newark and Essex County and cared deeply about our residents,” DiVincenzo said. “I am saddened by his passing.”

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said that Payne carried on his family’s legacy of leadership with distinguished service in Newark and Essex County before his election to Congress.

“We are grateful for that service and hope his loved ones can find comfort in this difficult time,” Coughlin said.

Payne's peer in Congress, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-10), said he was "one of a kind."

"I am heartbroken to lose my friend Congressman Donald Payne," she said. "He was a model public servant, who from a young age strove to make New Jersey a better place for everyone. There is no question his commitment to strengthening public education and expanding access to health care changed people’s lives. The advice, encouragement, and support Donald offered me when I first entered politics sticks with me to this day."

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker also mourned the departed congressman.

"Like his father before him, Donald was a trailblazing figure in our civic institutions, dedicating his career to the soul-feeding work of serving others," Booker said. "Over the almost three decades I knew Donald, he was a dear friend and a powerful colleague in Newark and in Washington. He was never about adulation or applause; the cause of his life was fighting for dignity, security, and opportunity for all people."

New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz said that despite the daunting task of following in his father's footsteps, the junior Payne didn't merely fill his shoes, he "carved out a path uniquely his own."

"His humor was unmatched and served to provide a sense of levity in tough times as he narrated events under his breath to make us all laugh," Ruiz said, sharing a glimpse into the lawmaker's charismatic personality. "And to those who knew his fashion sense, was one of trendsetter of the fashionable sock style."

New Jersey Sen. Britnee Timberlake, another lawmaker who considered Payne a friend, said he managed to stay "humble" despite his large roster of accomplishments.

"His unique style, characterized by bright colors, bow ties, and his iconic 'RUN DMP' shirt, reflected his vibrant personality and passion for life," Timberlake said, praising the departed congressman for his stances on "health care equity" and his local actions, such as founding the Newark South Ward Junior Democrats and advising the YMCA Youth in Government program.

"As we mourn the passing of this modern-day hero, let us remember his legacy," Timberlake said, calling Payne "not just a politician, but a husband, father, friend, leader, role model and compassionate advocate."

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka pointed out that Payne was a major supporter of the Gateway Project, something he championed as the chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

"Throughout his career, Representative Payne gained expertise in transportation, bridges, and tunnels, but his personal traits also fostered connections," Baraka said. "He had a talent for engaging a wide spectrum of collaborators for projects he promoted, and strived to increase inclusive opportunities and diversity by inviting women- and minority-owned businesses."

"All Newarkers mourn the loss of this great, compassionate man today," the mayor added.

New Jersey Sen. Renee Burgess (NJ-28) said the news was "devastating," calling Payne a "favorite son of Newark and Essex County."

"He was a valued friend and mentor, and worked tirelessly to help make the lives of his constituents a little easier in their day-to-day struggles, and sought to lighten the burdens of our most disadvantaged citizens," Burgess said.

Another elected official in Newark, councilman Patrick Council, said that Payne and his legacy will "never be forgotten." Council said the congressman was a force for good in the city's South Ward, where he made his home.

"We send endless amounts of thoughts and prayers to his family and the community," Council said.

New Jersey's 10th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:

• Essex County – Caldwell, East Orange, Essex Fells, Irvington, Montclair (part), Newark (part), Orange, Verona, West Orange
• Hudson County – Jersey City (part)
• Union County – Cranford, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden (part), Roselle, Roselle Park, Union Township

'A TIRELESS FIGHTER FOR NEW JERSEY FAMILIES'

Payne's office released the following statement in the wake of his passing:

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that Congressman Payne’s Congressional Office announces the passing of Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. He was 65-years-old and proudly served the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey since 2012.

"Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. has been 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. He served as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In that role, Rep. Payne, Jr. improved passenger and freight rail nationwide. In addition, he served on the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he protected Americans through his work to improve communications between emergency agencies and provide greater resources to aid victims during and after national emergencies.

"During his time on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Rep. Payne, Jr. introduced the INVEST in America Act, which became the bipartisan, $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to provide funds for critical road and rail projects, such as New Jersey’s Portal North Bridge and Hudson River Tunnel in the Gateway Program. Thanks to his efforts, the new law included $66 billion for passenger rail, the largest federal investment in rail in 50 years, and $55 billion to replace lead water pipes nationwide. In addition, the law included $8 billion for New Jersey’s highways, $4.5 billion for the state’s public transit, and $42 billion to improve New Jersey’s traffic safety.

"Outside of his committee work, Rep. Payne, Jr. was a strong leader on health care. His bill, Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, provided full Medicare coverage to patients who have cancerous polyps removed during routine colonoscopies and it was signed into law in 2020. As a diabetic, Rep. Payne, Jr. fought to lower the price of insulin and improve treatments for Americans with diabetes and kidney-related diseases. He founded the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus to increase awareness of men’s health care and the Congressional PAD Caucus to increase awareness of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition that could lead to limb amputation.

"Rep. Payne, Jr. had been a strong advocate for children, gun violence prevention, American currency, small businesses, environmental issues, voting rights, racial justice, and the underprivileged to create more equality nationwide. His bill, the Homeland Security for Children Act, guaranteed that children’s needs are included in future emergency preparation planning and became public law on June 6, 2022. He never stopped fighting for his Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act, which would have paid gun owners for their firearms to get more guns off the streets, and his Payment Choice Act, which would have protected cash as a form of payment for goods and services nationwide.

"In addition, Rep. Payne, Jr. had been a champion of environmental protections, small business growth, and voting rights for all Americans. He introduced the Green Jobs Act to create more small businesses and jobs in alternative energies and technologies in low-income communities and fought to remove lead contamination in drinking water for district residents and Americans nationwide. He worked diligently to establish a disadvantaged business enterprise program (DBE) in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to increase the participation of women and minority-owned businesses in national rail infrastructure projects. Also, he helped pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Voting Act in a previous Congress to make Election Day a national holiday, end partisan gerrymandering of Congressional districts, protect non-election day voting options, and prevent states with a history of voter discrimination from passing voting laws without federal approval. After the murder of George Floyd, Rep. Payne, Jr. helped pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in a previous Congress to make it illegal for law enforcement agencies to engage in racial profiling, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants, and create a database of officers who racially profiled Americans to prohibit their employment in other law enforcement agencies."

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