Essex, Hudson & Union County Commissioners Endorse Congressman Payne

Richardson, Vainieri and Williams Back Veteran Democrat

NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr., (D-Newark) is announcing the endorsement of the leaders of the County Board of Commissioners in each of the counties within the 10th Congressional District. Essex County Commissioner President Wayne Richardson, Hudson County Commission Chair Anthony Vainieri and Union County Commission Chair Rebecca Williams are the latest public officials to join the Payne for Congress campaign.

“I served in county government and know how much the work that gets done there can impact residents’ quality of life, so I’m very thankful to receive this support from the leaders of each county board,” said Congressman Payne. “Elected officials at the local and county level know what their constituents need from the federal government, and I’m gratified they recognize the work we’re doing to deliver for working families across the 10th District.”

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Congressman Payne served as an Essex County Freeholder at-Large from 2006 to 2012. During that time he worked to improve public services at the county level while keeping expenses in check and stabilizing county taxes. As a Congressman, Donald Payne has continued fighting for working families by passing legislation to create over 400,000 infrastructure jobs in New Jersey, expand health care access and keep neighborhoods safe.

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund,  New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Governor Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

About Congressman Payne: 

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.

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