Congressman Said To Be In Critical Condition After ‘Cardiac Episode’

A House Democrat from New Jersey is still in the hospital over a week after he experienced a “cardiac episode.” In a statement on Wednesday, the office of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) provided an update on his condition, saying he “suffered a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes last week.”

“Today, he is in stable condition at a local hospital and continues to be under doctor’s care. While we hope for a full recovery, we ask everyone to keep him in your prayers,” the statement read.

In the statement released last week, the congressman’s office acknowledged he had a health incident but said that he had a “good prognosis.”

“Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. suffered a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes during the weekend,” the statement read, adding, “He was admitted to a local hospital for treatment. Currently, he is recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct routine exams to monitor and observe his improvement. The Congressman’s prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery.”

Payne’s office statement on Wednesday fell short of confirming or denying a report from New Jersey Globe that revealed Payne’s condition is more serious than the office indicated, as he had a heart attack on April 6 and had not regained consciousness since then. According to the report, the congressman had been on a ventilator in an intensive care unit at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for 11 days.

After the report by New Jersey Globe, several social media users sent the House Democrat well-wishes on social media.

In a post to X, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) wrote, “Keeping my friend [Donald Payne] in my thoughts. He means so much to New Jersey and we are all praying for his swift recovery.”

Keeping my friend @RepDonaldPayne in my thoughts. He means so much to New Jersey and we are all praying for his swift recovery. https://t.co/oD2LGtJJOu

— Congressman Donald Norcross 🇺🇸 (@DonaldNorcross) April 17, 2024