Donald Payne Jr. has announced his intention to seek the 10th District Congressional seat previously held by his father, Donald Payne Sr., who died March 6 at the age of 77.
Payne, the president of the Newark Municipal Council, told the Associated Press yesterday that he has “decided to continue the work my father started.”
Payne is the second member of the municipal council to announce a bid for the seat, which represents a historically Democratic district encompassing Newark, other parts of Essex County as well as parts of Hudson and Union counties.
West Ward Councilman Ron Rice registered his campaign with the Federal Election Commission March 1. Other contenders include state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver of East Orange and state Sen. Nia Gill of the 34th District.
Payne, a father of three who also holds an at-large seat on the Essex County Board of Chosen freeholders, has served on the municipal council since 2006 and as its president since 2010.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
