Donald Payne Update: Gov. Murphy Calls For Special Elections

NEW JERSEY — There will be two special elections to decide who replaces the late U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced.

Payne, who was up for re-election this year, served the state’s 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He died in April after he suffered a heart attack related to his diabetes.

• Read More: Donald Payne: Mourning Continues For NJ Congressman With ‘Big Heart’
• Read More: President Biden Joins Mourning For Late NJ Congressman Donald Payne

Payne was running unopposed in the June primary election for the Democratic nomination at the time of his death.

On Friday, Gov. Murphy issued a writ of election to fill the vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District that was created by Payne’s death. It will cover the unexpired portion of the late congressman’s term, which ends Jan. 3., 2025.

A special primary election to decide Democratic and Republican party nominees will take place on Tuesday, July 16.

A special general election including independent and third-party candidates will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Nomination petitions for candidates seeking a party nomination must be filed by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Direct nominations by petition for independent candidates must be filed no later than the day of the special primary election.

New Jersey's 10th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:

• Essex County – Caldwell, East Orange, Essex Fells, Irvington, Montclair (part), Newark (part), Orange, Verona, West Orange
• Hudson County – Jersey City (part)
• Union County – Cranford, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden (part), Roselle, Roselle Park, Union Township

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.