It is not uncommon to hear about dead people voting in elections, but it’s rarer for a deceased person to be elected. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. was elected Tuesday in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.
According to the New York Post, the beloved congressman who was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus died from a fatal cardiac arrest on April 24th.
New Jersey’s primary campaign filing deadline was March. Congressman Payne is the only candidate who registered.
Payne Jr.’s lack of challenge in the primary is not surprising. His father had occupied the seat for 20 years before him. He has held it since 2012. Payne Jr. was appointed to succeed his father, who died while in office.
Garden State election rules state that Payne can’t be replaced on the ballot. A special primary will be held on July 16 instead. A dozen Democrats have informed party leaders they plan to run for the seat.
New Jersey’s tenth district has a 6-1 advantage in registration by Democrats, making it one of the most blue districts in the nation. The district includes Newark, as well as other urban areas in Hudson, Union, and Essex counties. It hasn’t had a Republican representative since 1946.