Donald M. Payne
| Donald M. Payne | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 10th district |
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In office January 3, 1989 – March 6, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Rodino |
| Succeeded by | Donald M. Payne Jr |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Donald Milford Payne July 16, 1934 Newark, New Jersey |
| Died | March 6, 2012 (aged 77) Livingston, New Jersey |
| Resting place |
Glendale Cemetery Bloomfield, New Jersey |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Hazel Johnson (1958–1963; her death) |
| Residence | Newark, New Jersey |
| Alma mater |
Seton Hall University Springfield College |
| Occupation | Financial executive |
| Religion | Baptist |
Glendale Cemetery
Donald Milford Payne (July 16, 1934 – March 6, 2012) was an American politician who was the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 10th congressional district from 1989 to 2012. He was a member of the Democratic Party. The district encompasses most of the city of Newark, parts of Jersey City and Elizabeth, and some suburban communities in Essex and Union counties. He was the first African American to represent New Jersey in Congress.
Payne was born in Newark and was a 1952 graduate of Barringer High School. He did his undergraduate studies at Seton Hall University, graduating in 1957. After graduating he pursued post-graduate studies in Springfield College in Massachusetts. Before being elected to Congress in 1988, Payne was an executive at Prudential Financial, Vice President of Urban Data Systems Inc., and a teacher in the Newark Public Schools. In 1970, Payne became the first black president of the National Council of YMCAs. From 1973 to 1981 he was Chairman of the World Y.M.C.A. Refugee and Rehabilitation Committee.
Payne's political career began in 1972, when he was elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, serving three terms. In 1982, he was elected to the Newark Municipal Council and served three terms, resigning in 1988 shortly after his election to Congress.
Payne ran against U.S. Congressman Peter Rodino in the 1980 and 1986 Democratic primaries but lost both times. Rodino retired in 1988 after 40 years in Congress. Payne defeated fellow Municipal Councilman Ralph T. Grant, Jr. in the Democratic primary, the real contest in this heavily Democratic, black-majority district. He was re-elected nine times with no substantive opposition, never dropping below 75% of the vote.
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