While many elections feature reports of dead people voting, it is much rarer for a dead person to win an election. But that is exactly what happened on Tuesday when Rep. Donald Payne Jr. won the primary for 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 release. NY PostThe deadline for candidate registration for New Jersey’s primary election was in March. Rep. Payne Jr. was the only candidate to register.
New Jersey Democratic Congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies at age 65
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), co-chair of the Colorectal Cancer Legislative Caucus, speaks at the installation of the Colon Cancer Fighters “United in Blue” flag on the National Mall on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC, noting the rise in colon cancer cases among young adults. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images, Colon Cancer Campaign)
Payne Jr. was not surprisingly unopposed in the primary, as he had held the seat since 2012, following the 20 years his father held the seat before that. Payne Jr. took over after his father also died while in office.
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Garden State election rules mean Payne cannot be replaced on the ballot, and instead a special primary will be held on July 16. Nearly a dozen Democrats have already informed party officials of their intention to run for the seat.
New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District is one of the most Democratic in the country, with registered Democrats outnumbering registered voters by an overwhelming 6 to 1. The district includes Newark and urban areas of Hudson, Union, and Essex counties, and has not been represented by a Republican since 1946.
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