Many elections are marked by reports of deceased people voting, but a deceased person being elected is much less common. Yet that’s exactly what happened Tuesday when Rep. Donald Payne Jr. won a primary in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.
The beloved congressman and member of the Congressional Black Caucus suffered a fatal heart attack on April 24, according to the New York Post. The deadline for filing primary campaigns in New Jersey it was in March. Congressman Payne Jr. was the only candidate to register.
REP. NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATIC. DONALD PAYNE JR. DEAD AT 65
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the Colorectal Cancer Caucus, speaks at the installation of the Colorectal Cancer Fight “United in Blue” flag on the National Mall to highlight the increase in colorectal cancer cases among young adults on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images to fight colorectal cancer)
It’s no surprise that Payne Jr. was not challenged in the primary. He had held this seat since 2012, which his father had held for 20 years before that. Payne Jr. took over from his father when the elder Payne also died in office.
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The Garden State’s election rules say Payne cannot be replaced on the ballot. Instead, a special primary election will be held on July 16. Nearly a dozen Democrats have already told party leaders they intend to run for the seat.
New Jersey’s 10th District is one of the bluest in the country, with a whopping 6-1 Democratic registration advantage. It includes Newark and other urban areas of Hudson, Union and Essex counties and has not been represented by a Republican since 1946.
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