Democrat Congressman Donald Payne Jr. reportedly passed away on Wednesday. The six-term federal legislator represented New Jersey’s heavily-blue 10th District which includes both Newark and Orange.
Payne had suffered a cardiac event earlier this month, and his office initially told the public that he was expected to make a “full recovery.” It later came to light that the congressman had remained unconscious, raising questions as to the honesty of his staff’s initial disclosure.
Congressman Payne was 65 years old. Ironically, he originally came to Congress after the passing of his own father, Donald M. Payne, Sr., who was then the incumbent congressman back in 2012.
His death comes at a politically fragile time in the U.S. House; there are now six vacancies in the chamber, and Republicans’ majority stands at 217 to 212.
He’ll remain on the primary ballot since the filing deadline has since passed and Democrat county committee members in his district will ultimately decide on a successor.
