New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies from heart attack complications

New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. died Wednesday following a lengthy hospitalization after a heart attack.

The Newark Democratic representative was hospitalized earlier this month for a cardiac episode stemming from diabetes complications.

“Despite the dedicated efforts of the medical staff to treat him and improve his health, they were unable to prevent his passing, unfortunately,” his office said.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy praised Payne in a statement Wednesday.

“With his signature bow tie, 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 our working families face, and he fought valiantly to serve their needs, every single day.

“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.”

Payne, 65, was first elected to Congress in a 2012 special election after his father — the state’s first Black congressman after his 1989 election — died of colon cancer.

He was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and was involved with a number of health-related caucuses, including those addressing men’s health and colorectal cancer. He was also the chairman and ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials subcommittee. He helped secure funding for the Gateway project, which is replacing old train tunnels between New York and New Jersey.

Payne was running unopposed in the upcoming June primary, but party committee members in his former district — which includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties — will choose a replacement ahead of November’s election. Gov. Murphy could also call for a special election to fill the seat before the election winner is sworn in next January.

Payne’s death comes the day GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin officially resigns his seat, making the narrow Republican majority in the House 217 to 212. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) remains in political peril as a potential motion to vacate from his own party members looms.

The congressman is survived by his wife, Beatrice, and their triplets, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne.