Rep. Donald Payne Jr., a six-term Democrat from New Jersey, died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack earlier in the month.
Mr. Payne, who was 65, had been on a ventilator at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center since his cardiac arrest on April 6.
“With his signature bowtie, big heart and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the very best of public service,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said.” 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.”
Mr. Payne‘s district included Newark and other major Democratic strongholds in the New York suburbs. He won the seat in 2012 following the death of his father, Donald Payne Sr., who was elected to the seat in 1988 and was the state’s first Black person to represent New Jersey in Congress.
The younger Mr. Payne was known as a progressive who supported Medicare for all and became a national leader in championing clean-water projects.
“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,” Mr. Murphy said.
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The seat is likely to remain in Democratic hands, given the political leanings of the district.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said he was saddened by the death and offered prayers for Mr. Payne‘s wife, Bea, and their three children.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, called Mr. Payne a “good friend, highly effective public servant and compassionate leader.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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