Donald Payne Jr.

Donald Milford Payne Jr. (born December 17, 1958)[2] is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 10th congressional district since 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, Payne served as president of the Newark city council from 2010 to 2012.[3]

Donald Payne Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 10th district
Assumed office
November 15, 2012[1]
Preceded byDonald M. Payne
President of the Municipal Council of Newark
In office
July 1, 2006 – November 14, 2012
Personal details
Born
Donald Milford Payne Jr.

(1958-12-17) December 17, 1958
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBeatrice Payne
Children3
RelativesDonald M. Payne (father)
EducationKean University
WebsiteHouse website

Following the death of his father, U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, on March 6, 2012, Payne ran in the primary to succeed him in Congress. His father was first elected in 1988 and reelected 11 times without significant opposition.[4][5][6] Payne Jr. won the June 5, 2012 Democratic primary election, which is tantamount to election in the heavily Democratic district,[7] and the November 6, 2012 general election.[8]

Early life, education, and early career

Payne was born and raised with his two sisters, Wanda and Nicole, in Newark, New Jersey.[9] His father Donald M. Payne, served in the United States House of Representatives from 1989 until his death in 2012. He was the first African-American to represent the state of New Jersey in Congress.[10] His mother Hazel Payne (née Johnson), died in 1963 when Payne was five years old.[11] As a teenager, he founded and was the first president of the Newark South Ward Junior Democrats. He studied graphic arts at Kean University. He was an adviser at the YMCA Youth in Government program.

Payne worked for the New Jersey Highway Authority from 1991 until he joined the Essex County Educational Services Commission in 1996, where he worked as the Supervisor of Student Transportation.[12]

Newark Municipal Council

In 2010, Payne was reelected to the Municipal Council of Newark with 19% of the vote, serving from July 1, 2006 to November 6, 2012. Other candidates elected were Mildred C. Crump, Luis Quintana, and Carlos Gonzales.[13]

As a city councilman, Payne supported Planned Parenthood, stem cell research, Medicaid and education funding.[14]

In July 2010, Payne was elected president of the Newark City Council, succeeding Crump.[15]

Payne's committee assignments included Health, Education and Recreation.[12]

Essex County Board of Freeholders

In 2005, Payne was one of four candidates elected to the at-large seat, serving from January 1, 2006 to November 6, 2012. He finished first with 19% of the vote.[16] In 2008, he was reelected to a second term with 20% of the vote.[17] In 2011, he was reelected to a third term with 18% of the vote.[18]

Committee assignments
  • Budget Review
  • Finance Oversight
  • Health Care/Benefits (Chairman)
  • Hospital Center Oversight
  • Labor Union Oversight
  • Public Safety Panel
  • Recreation
  • Review the Essex County Code
  • Review Purchasing Procedures
  • Transportation Oversight (Chairman)
  • Turtle Back Zoo[19]

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 special election
See also: 2012 New Jersey's 10th congressional district special election

After his father's death, Payne declared his intention to run in two elections in 2012: the special election to fill the remainder of his father's 12th term, and the regularly scheduled election for the full two-year term beginning in January 2013. The primaries for both elections were held on June 5, and the general elections on November 6.

According to documents filed on May 24 with the Federal Election Commission, Payne both raised and spent more money than any other Democratic candidate.[20] House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsed Payne on May 22.[21]

In the Democratic primary for the special election, Payne faced Ronald C. Rice (son of State Senator Ronald Rice) and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith. He won the primary with 71% of the vote to Rice's 25% and Smith 5%.[22]

In the Democratic primary for the full term, Payne faced Rice, Smith, State Senator Nia Gill, Cathy Wright of Newark, and Dennis R. Flynn of Glen Ridge.[23] He won with 60% of the vote, to Rice's 19%, Gill's 17%. Smith, Wright and Flynn combined for about 5% of the vote.[24]

After the election, Payne said, "I've said that I'm following a legacy and I'm not backing away from that."[25]

2012

In the November 6 general election, Payne defeated Republican nominee Brian C. Kelemen with 87% of the vote.[26] He ran unopposed for the special election to fill the remainder of his father's term. The 10th is a heavily Democratic, black-majority district, and Payne had effectively assured himself election with his primary victory. He is only the fourth person to represent this district since 1929.

2014
See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

2016
See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

2020
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

2022
See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

Tenure

Payne was sworn into office on November 15, 2012. He thus had two months more seniority than other members of the 2012 House freshman class.[1][27] He co-sponsored the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 and the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill aimed at expanding the scope of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Fair Labor Standards Act.[28][29] Payne also co-sponsored H.R. 41, authorizing $30.4 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program to victims of Hurricane Sandy.[30]

On March 24, 2014, Payne introduced the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act (H.R. 4289; 113th Congress) a bill that would require the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), within 120 days of the bill's enactment, to devise a strategy to improve communications among DHS agencies.[31][32] DHS would be required to submit regular reports to Congress on its progress and the decisions it makes.[32]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Electoral history
New Jersey's 10th congressional district: Results 2012–2022
Year Democratic Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
2012 (special) Donald Payne Jr. 166,413 97.4% Joanne Miller Independent 4,500 2.6%
2012 201,435 87.6% Brian Kelemen 24,271 10.5% Joanne Miller 3,127 1.4% Robert Shapiro Libertarian 1,227 0.5%
2014 95,734 85.4% Yolanda Dentley 14,154 12.6% Gwendolyn A. Franklin 1,237 1.1% Dark Angel Independent 998 0.9%
2016 190,856 85.7% David H. Pinckney 26,450 11.8% Joanne Miller 3,719 1.7% Aaron Walter Fraser 1,746 0.8%
2018 175,253 87.6% Agha Khan 20,191 10.1% Cynthia Johnson 2,070 1.0% Joanne Miller 2,038 1.0% *
2020 241,522 83.3% Jennifer Zinone 40,298 13.9% Akil Khalfani 3,537 1.2% Liah Fitchette 3,480 1.2% *
2022 99,613 77.6% David Pinckney 25,792 20.1% Cynthia Johnson 1,955 1.5% Kendal Ludden Libertarian 624 0.5% *

* In 2018, Libertarian candidate Scott DiRoma achieved 0.3% of the vote. In 2020, Libertarian candidate John Mirrione achieved 0.4%. In 2022, Independent candidate Clenard J. Childress, Jr. achieved 0.3%.

Personal life

Payne lives in Newark with his wife, Bea, and their triplets.

See also

References
  1. "House Floor Activities: Legislative Day of November 15, 2012". Washington, D.C.: Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  2. "PAYNE, Donald, Jr. – Biographical Information". Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  3. "Council President Donald M. Payne Jr". The Ujima Awards. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  4. Friedman, Matt. "Pascrell, Donald Payne Jr. win key races in highly contested N.J. Congressional primaries", The Star-Ledger, June 5, 2012. Accessed April 18, 2019.
  5. Rizzo, Salvador "N.J. 10th Congressional District winner: Donald Payne Jr.", The Star-Ledger, November 6, 2012. Accessed April 18, 2019.
  6. Donald M. Payne, First Black Elected to Congress From New Jersey, Dies at 77,The New York Times, Raymond Hernandez, March 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  7. Friedman, Matt. "Pascrell, Donald Payne Jr. win key races in highly contested N.J. Congressional primaries", The Star-Ledger, June 5, 2012. Accessed June 9, 2012.
  8. Rizzo, Salvador "N.J. 10th Congressional District winner: Donald Payne Jr.", The Star-Ledger, November 6, 2012. Accessed November 7, 2012.
  9. Raymond Hernandez (March 6, 2012). "Donald M. Payne, First Black Elected to Congress From New Jersey, Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  10. "PAYNE, Donald Milford, (1934–2012)". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  11. Wasniewski, Matthew (October 3, 2008). Black Americans in Congress, 1870–2007 *Current Members* Donald M. Payne 1934– UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMOCRAT FROM NEW JERSEY 1989–. ISBN 9780160801945. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  12. "Full Biography". December 27, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  13. "Our Campaigns – Newark City Council At Large Race – May 11, 2010". Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  14. DONALD M. PAYNE Jr. President, Newark City Council Freeholder-at-Large, Essex County Archived June 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Newark, New Jersey. Accessed June 9, 2012
  15. "Councilman-At-Large Donald M. Payne Elected New President of Newark Municipal Council" Archived May 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Newark, New Jersey, July 1, 2010. Accessed June 9, 2012.
  16. "Our Campaigns – Essex County Freeholder At-Large Race – Nov 08, 2005". Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  17. "Our Campaigns – Essex County Freeholder At-Large Race – Nov 04, 2008". Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  18. "Our Campaigns – Essex County Freeholders At-Large Race – Nov 08, 2011". Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  19. "The County of Essex Board of Chosen Freeholders". Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  20. "Payne Jr. leading Dem. primary fundraising battle". Newsday. Associated Press. May 25, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  21. Giambusso, David (May 22, 2012). "Nancy Pelosi endorses Donald Payne Jr. to replace late father in N.J.'s 10th District". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  22. "Unofficial Primary Election Results: Special Election – US House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  23. Giambusso, David (May 24, 2012). "In packed 10th District congressional election, Donald Payne Jr. is viewed as front-runner". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  24. Giambusso, David (June 5, 2012). "Donald Payne Jr. wins Democratic nomination for House seat in N.J.'s 10th District". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  25. Siddiqui, Sabrina (June 5, 2012). "New Jersey City Councilman Succeeds Late Father In Congress". Huffington Post.
  26. nj.gov (January 22, 2013). "Official List Candidates for House of Representatives For GENERAL ELECTION 11/06/2012 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey.
  27. "Payne Takes Office". payne.house.gov. November 15, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  28. "H.R.11 – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013". congress.gov. January 29, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  29. "H.R.377 – Paycheck Fairness Act". congress.gov. January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  30. "H.R.41 – To temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program". congress.gov. January 7, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  31. "CBO – H.R. 4289". Congressional Budget Office. June 19, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  32. "DHS Interoperable Communications Act Aims To Achieve Interoperable Communications". Homeland Security Today. July 9, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  33. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  34. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
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