From Newark, New Jersey, Payne Jr., who was, in 2012, first elected into the office he held till his demise, replaced his highly respected father, Donald Payne Snr. who was in the same office in Congress from 1989 until his death in 2012.
There has been an outpouring of grief from far and near for Payne Jr. who enjoyed the overwhelming support of his constituents who had returned him to his position in Congress for six consecutive terms.
The Congressman, who chaired the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was also poised to retain his seat in the upcoming election as he was to stand unopposed in the Democratic party primary scheduled for June 4 this year.
A member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Payne Jr. who also served on the House Homeland Security Committee, is widely acknowledged to have represented his District very well. His late father, Payne Snr. was the first black man to represent New Jersey in the Congress, making Payne Jr. the second.
According to a statement by Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Payne Jr. died after suffering a heart attack due to diabetes complications earlier this April.
He is survived by his wife Beatrice and their three children, Donald III, Jack and Yvonne.
