U.S.
Rep.
Donald
Payne
Jr.,
a
Democratic
congressman
representing
New
Jersey’s
10th
Congressional
District,
has
died,
the
governor
announced
Wednesday.
“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.
Our
heartfelt
prayers
are
with
his
family
during
this
difficult
time,”
Gov.
Phil
Murphy
said
in
an
X
post.
On
April
17,
Payne’s
office
issued
an
update
on
his
health:
“Congressman
Donald
M.
Payne,
Jr.
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.”
Further
information
was
not
immediately
available.
Payne
represented
New
Jersey’s
10th
Congressional
District,
which
covers
portions
of
Essex,
Hudson,
and
Union
counties.
A
Newark
native,
Payne
served
the
10th
District
since
2012.
Payne,
who
lived
in
Newark,
began
his
public
service
journey
by
founding
the
Newark
South
Ward
Junior
Democrats,
becoming
its
first
president.
He
also
served
as
an
adviser
to
the
YMCA
Youth
in
Government
program.
He
attended
Kean
College,
where
he
studied
graphic
arts.
This
is
a
developing
story.