Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) of Newark has died at age 65. The grave news was shared by Payne’s office and Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday.
In a statement revealing the Democratic lawmaker’s death, Murphy wrote, “Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our friend, and a steadfast champion for the people of New Jersey, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.”
“It was my great honor to work side-by-side with Donald to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey, and we will hold his memory close to our hearts as we build upon the Payne family’s deep legacy of service in advocating for the communities they served so dearly,” he continued.
“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. 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. Our heartfelt prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” the governor added.
Payne, who President Joe Biden referred to as “an accomplished public servant” who “represented the best of Newark,” was hospitalized earlier this month due to health problems. According to his office, he had “experienced a physical accident at home on April 6, 2024, which necessitated hospitalization.”
A statement by his office revealed that as he received treatment for the health issues he sustained from the accident at his home, “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,” the office wrote further.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr.'s office confirms his death:
– Says he "experienced a physical accident at home" on April 6 and was hospitalized
– During treatment, he experienced complications from diabetes/high blood pressure that "led to subsequent cardiorespiratory arrest." pic.twitter.com/TDhsIc1Zbv— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) April 24, 2024
Payne spent many years working in public service in different capacities. He worked as a union worker, as a Newark City Council president and as a member of the Essex County Board of Commissioners before he got elected into Congress in 2012.
With his 2012 win, he took the seat that had been previously held by his father, Donald Payne Sr., who died at age 77 due to colon cancer.
Payne’s death would surely have an impact in the House which is already narrowly divided with Republicans holding a very slim majority. It is unclear at this point whether a special election will be held to fill his spot for the remainder of the two-year term the lawmaker won in 2022.
