The party has not yet declared a new nominee, and his name had already been printed on mail-in ballots.
Payne suffered a heart attack on April 6 and was hospitalized at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He died later that month at the age of 65. In addition to his career as a politician, the six-term congressman was known as a father of triplets and as the son of the first Black American elected to Congress from New Jersey, Donald Payne Sr.
“New Jersey lost a great public servant far too soon. Many people knew Don for his trademark bow tie, big smile and friendly demeanor,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D) said at a tribute event for Payne, highlighting the congressman’s fight for health-care access, better transportation infrastructure and the replacement of lead pipes that “made kids in his district sick.”
“With incredible style and a bone-deep optimism that was truly contagious, Don was a kind, gentle giant in the people’s House, and his dedication to the people of New Jersey was inspiring,” Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) said at the same event.
He added, “His impact has been felt and will be felt by countless folks across the state of New Jersey and across our great country.”
Last month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered a special primary to be held on July 16 and a special general election to be held on Sept. 18 to fill the remainder of Payne’s unexpired term.
The website for the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives says that Payne’s Washington office and district offices “will continue to serve the people” of the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey under its supervision until a new representative is elected to fill the unexpired term.
Mariana Alfaro and Azi Paybarah contributed to this report.
