Rep. Donald Payne Earns Thumbs-Up From Human Rights Campaign

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of New Jersey’s 10th District was one of several elected officials to earn a perfect score this year from the Human Rights Campaign for his voting record on LGBTQ-related issues.

The Human Rights Campaign released its 2020 Congressional Scorecard earlier this month. Members of Congress were scored based on a range of key indicators of support — from votes in the House to pass pro-equality legislation like the Equality Act to votes in the Senate to confirm anti-LGBTQ Trump-Pence cabinet officials and judicial nominees, as well as co-sponsorships in both chambers on pieces of legislation that significantly impact LGBTQ people and their families.

Payne was among the congress members in New Jersey who scored a “100” this year. The only House members to not get a perfect score were Republicans: Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who scored a 78, and Rep. Chris Smith, who scored a 17.

Payne is up for re-election this November. He’s running against Jennifer Zinone of the Republican Party, John Mirrione of the Libertarian Party and independent candidates Akil Khalfani and Khaliah Fitchette.

New Jersey's 10th Congressional District covers portions of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, including the following municipalities: Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, West Orange, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hillside, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park and Union Township.

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