U.S. Democratic House Representative Donald Payne, Jr., Has Died After Suffering A Heart Attack 3 Weeks Ago

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2:00 P.M. ET. By George Petruska: Englebrook Independent News,

NEWARK, NJ.- New Jersey Democratic Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. has sadly passed away, nearly three weeks after suffering a massive heart attack that left him in a coma at Newark’s Beth Israel Medical Center. Payne was 65-years-old.

     Congressman Payne, who was the six-term Democrat and Newark, New Jersey native and representative of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, which covers areas of Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties since first being elected in a special election following his Father’s Death in 2012.

     Payne is survived by his wife, Beatrice, and their triplets, Donald, III, Jack, and their sister Yvonne. 

     Payne’s father, Donald Payne, Sr. was a groundbreaker on the New Jersey Political scene. Payne, Sr. was the first black person to be elected to Congress from New Jersey in 1988. Following his death in 2012, Payne, Jr. replaced him after winning a special election to fill the rest of his term.

     Payne served on Congress’ Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees and numerous Subcommittees, which included Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Before becoming a Congressman, Payne served as an Essex County Freeholder and Newark City Councilman.

     New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy issued a statement, saying he and First Lady Tammy Murphy were “deeply saddened.”

     “With his signature bowtie, big heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the very best of public service,” Murphy said. “As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles of 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.”

      Hudson County Executive Craig Guy issued a statement, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. All of Hudson County sends sincere condolences to his wife, Beatrice, and their three children Donald, III, Jack, and Yvonne.”

     “With a passion and dedication for public service, Donald worked his way up from within county and state offices to win elections for the Essex County Board of Freeholders and Municipal Council of Newark. He then succeeded his father in Congress in 2012 and has since embodied the committed, humble public servant we will strive to represent when we take office. On a personal note, soon after I became County Executive I met Rep. Payne and constituents to bolster efforts to combat escalating gun violence.

     Donald was a tireless advocate for voting rights, the pillar of our democracy. In the House of Representatives, he was chosen by his colleagues to lead speeches in favor of expanding voting rights and fighting against voter disenfranchisement efforts, Donald also played a vital role in standing up for minority, and woman-owned businesses in Congress. As Rail Subcommittee Chairman, Donald was a leading voice in guaranteeing minority business participation for federal passenger rail construction projects.

     We here in Hudson County continue to admire Congressman Payne’s values and work ethic and I thank him for his representation of District 10 in Washington, D.C. My thoughts and prayers are with Beatrice and their children in this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”

     U.S. House Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., said he was “anguished and devastated” by Payne’s passing.

     U.S. House Rep. Andy Kim called his passing “incredibly painful news.”

     U.S. House Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. noted Payne’s fight to raise awareness for diabetes and colorectal cancer prevention, as well as his advocacy for replacing lead pipes in Newark.

     “New Jersey has lost a truly great public servant far too soon,” Pallone said. “Don affectionately called me ‘Uncle Frank’ whenever I saw him, because we cherished the strong relationship we forged following the death of his father. We worked together to improve the lives and health of New Jerseyans.