LaMonica McIver, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives today received a significant endorsement by the family of the late Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  McIver is running to succeed Rep. Payne in the upcoming special election for New Jersey’s 10th congressional district.

“I remain deeply saddened by the loss of my nephew, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., but also for the loss of a leader who pushed hard for the principles that have always been important to our family and our communities, including affordable housing and healthcare, reproductive freedom, clean drinking water, and social and climate justice,” said William D. Payne, Donald Payne’s uncle who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 until 2008. “I believe that Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver has the requisite experience to ensure that the residents of the 10^th Congressional District will continue to be represented by someone who understands their concerns. She will have the same opportunity as Donald Jr. did to use her unique experience as Council President of New Jersey’s largest city to be a strong advocate in Washington for this community and for New Jersey. That is why I am proud to speak for the Payne family in support of LaMonica McIver for Congress.”

Council President McIver proudly accepted the endorsement.“I am thankful to former Assemblyman Payne and the entire Payne family for their support,” she said. “I recognize that as Newark’s youngest-ever council president, I stand on the shoulders of giants such as these, and I intend to fight as hard in Washington as we have in Newark to deliver positive outcomes for all New Jersey residents.”

McIver is the only candidate running in the special 10th district Democratic primary to receive an endorsement from the Payne family. In addition to Donald M. Payne Jr., the family has a political legacy that goes back decades. Donald M. Payne Jr.’s father, Donald M. Payne, Sr., also represented the 10th district, having been elected in 1988 as New Jersey’s first Black congressman. Craig A. Stanley, the late congressman’s cousin and William D. Payne’s nephew, also served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 until 2008.

LaMonica McIver, 37, is currently the Council President of the Newark Municipal Council, where she has served since 2018 as the youngest elected person in that role. Deemed as the frontrunner in the Congressional race to succeed the late Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., McIver is endorsed by the Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, the Essex County Democratic Committee and the Union County Democratic Committee. The special primary election is July 16, 2024 in New Jersey’s congressional district 10 that includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties.