we begin with breaking news New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr has died the six-term Democratic representative from Newark suffered from a cardiac episode on April 6th stemming from complications tied to his diabetes according to reports he remained unconscious and in an intensive care unit at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center ever since Payne became a congressman in 2013 after winning a special election to fill the seat of his late father Donald Payne Senor who was the first black Congressman in New Jersey history Payne Jr previously served as the New York City Council president and as an Essex County Freeholder during his time in Congress he pushed to lower prescription drug prices and introduced the test for lead act to protect children from lead contaminated water he's also been an advocate of cancer prevention and screening pain is survived by his wife and three children he was 65 years old senior political correspondent David Cruz has reaction from local state and federal leaders tonight a son of the South Ward of Newark born to a man who became a historic figure in New Jersey Donald Payne Jr is being remembered today as a humble public servant who rarely sought the Limelight but who carried the progressive Banner from the streets of Newark to the halls of Congress he was a a very humble genuine man uh loved his his children was very proud of them um and for him to to step into the congressional seat and serve out the Legacy that his father started uh was the biggest honor of his life and he carried that with him every day but Essex County Democratic chairman L Roy Jones who first met Don Payne Jr during the Don Payne senior campaign for congress remembers that Payne junor was reluctant to succeed his father when senior died in 2012 lot of us uh you know at that time uh you know were were encouraging him and it was difficult because he was dealing with grief uh you know for you know his dad and uh you know he wasn't looking for the next step you know he was uh you know he he he was very close to his father um you know and uh you know that was a big blow to to him and um you know a lot of folks didn't understand that at the time you know he just needed to deal with his own personal healing a former toll booth worker and County educational services coordinator Payne Jr had risen by then to the presidency of the new Yark city council and the then County Board of freeholders he wasn't one that uh you know always look for the accolades or the Press Clips or you know being in front of a camera I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of my dear friend Donald Payne Jr said Bonnie Watson Coleman a fellow member of the delegation today like myself Don came from a family Legacy of public service and we bonded over discussions of our trailblazing fathers I cherished the 10 years I had the honor of working with Don Essex County Executive Joe Devan senzo went to school with Don Payne senior and was a longtime friend and political Ally of Don Payne Jr how much were they alike and how much were they different no they were definitely they're twins they were twins the exact same thing you know what they stood for the entire pain family though was it was about the same thing it was not about money it had nothing to do with that or not where you live it was about doing the right thing and they always told me it was about the principle of the thing and that's what they did they they did the right thing and he lived his life to the fullest you know he has a great wife beatus he got three great kids I feel bad for each one of them but I know they'll go on and continue your legacy too it was my great honor to work side by side with Donald said Governor Murphy statement today and we will hold his memory close to our hearts as we build upon the pain family's deep Legacy of service pay had suffered a cardiac episode recently after years of several health issues he handled them you know with Grace dignity uh you know and he he used them to fight for people that were you know that were going through the same health challenges with diabetes and and uh you know and issues that uh you you your your body is confronted with with diabetes there is a process for succeeding pain who's unopposed in the Democratic primary Party leaders will choose someone for the fall general election which today is far away from the minds of the friends of Donald Payne of which there were many I'm David Cruz NJ Spotlight News [Music]