Representative Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.), a longtime advocate for New Jersey residents in the House, has passed away at 65 years old. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) confirmed Payne’s death in a statement on Wednesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, Congressman Donald Payne Jr., who was a dedicated champion for the people of New Jersey,” Governor Murphy expressed in his statement.
Payne experienced a “cardiac episode” due to complications from diabetes over two weeks ago and had been hospitalized since then, according to his office.
Last week, the New Jersey Globe reported that Payne remained unconscious following the episode, which occurred in early April. Despite this, his office released a statement indicating that the Congressman was in “stable condition” at a local hospital under medical supervision, requesting continued thoughts and prayers for his recovery.
Per CBS:
Rep. Donald Payne Jr., a Democrat from New Jersey, has died at age 65, according to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
Payne had been hospitalized since early April after he suffered “a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes,” his office said last week. The statement said Payne was in “stable condition” and “continues to be under doctor’s care.”
Payne, who was running for reelection in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, was first elected to the House in 2012, succeeding his late father, Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who died of colon cancer.
He is survived by his wife and their three children.
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