WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Payne Jr., a Democrat within the U.S. Home of Representatives who represented a northern New Jersey district, has died after a cardiac episode, the state’s governor’s workplace mentioned on Wednesday.
“As a former union employee and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working households face, and he fought valiantly to serve their wants, each single day,” Governor Phil Murphy mentioned in a press release.
Republicans at present maintain a slender 218-213 majority within the Home, and with a fractious majority at instances bucking management single votes have the ability to vary legislative outcomes.
“Our prayers are supplied at the moment for his household and associates, and particularly his spouse, Bea, and their three youngsters,” Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, mentioned.
Payne Jr., 65, was first elected to the seat in 2012, after the dying of his father, Donald Payne. The older Payne had represented the district since 1989.
The youthful Payne’s workplace mentioned earlier this week that he was within the hospital after struggling problems associated to diabetes.
Payne Jr. was working unopposed within the June 4 Democratic main for his seat. The date has handed for candidates to file for the seat, and ballots began being mailed out to voters April 20.
The governor’s workplace declined to supply particulars on plans for filling the seat.
