Dead Congressman Donald Payne WINS his New Jersey primary election: Democrat takes victory weeks after fatal heart attack

Despite his death following a heart attack in April, late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D–N.J.) still won his primary election on Tuesday in New Jersey's 10th congressional district.

Payne was running for reelection in 2024 unopposed for his seat in the deep blue suburb of New York City.

On April 6, Payne suffered a heart attack that slipped him into a coma from which he never woke up. More than 18 days after the cardiac event and while being treated at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Payne was declared dead on April 24 at the age of 65.

More than a month after the fatal heart attack, Rep. Payne still won his election since the filing deadline to run in the Democratic primary had already passed by the time of his death.

The Democratic Party in New Jersey did not declare a new nominee after Payne's death and it's likely many voters filled-out their mail-in ballots before his death or before they knew of his passing since his name was already printed on ballots.

Late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. won his primary in New Jersey on Tuesday, June 4 – despite dying in April after a heart attack. Payne represented one of the most Democratic districts in the country, initially winning his 2012 election with over 87 percent of the vote

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) ordered last month that a special primary be held on July 16 to decide who would run as the Democrat for the now-open House seat.

Additionally, a special general election will be held on September 18 to complete the remainder of Payne's unexpired term.

The clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives says on its website that Payne's Washington office and his district offices 'will continue to serve the people' of his district under its supervision until a new representative is elected.

Payne, a father of triplets and son of the first black man elected to Congress from New Jersey, first took office in 2012.

Before his heart attack, the congressman struggled with health issues including diabetes and liver problems that required regular dialysis procedures.

Payne's passing further complicates the already closely-divided House of Representatives. After his passing there remains 212 Democrats and 218 Republicans in the lower chamber of Congress. There are now five vacancies.

If just three Republicans vote with Democrats – or abstain – the break down would be tied 215–215, which results in a loss for any measure.

This means Republicans can only afford to lose two GOP votes to pass party-line legislation.

A man casts his ballot in New Jersey's primary elections on Tuesday, June 4