Donald Milford Payne Jr. (December 17, 1958 – April 24, 2024) was an American politician who was the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 10th congressional district from 2012 until his death in 2024.

Payne was born on December 17, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey,[8] where he was also raised alongside his two sisters, Wanda and Nicole.

[15] As a city councilman, Payne supported Planned Parenthood, stem-cell research, Medicaid, and education funding.

According to documents filed on May 24 with the Federal Election Commission, Payne both raised and spent more money than any other Democratic candidate.

[25] In the Democratic primary for the full term, Payne faced Rice, Smith, State Senator Nia Gill, Cathy Wright of Newark, and Dennis R. Flynn of Glen Ridge.

"[28] In the November 6 general election, Payne defeated Republican nominee Brian C. Kelemen with 87% of the vote.

The 10th is a heavily Democratic, black-majority district, and Payne had effectively assured himself election with his primary victory.

[30] Payne faced Republican Yolanda Dentley and two independents in the general election, and was re-elected with 85.4% of the vote.

[34] Payne would defeat Republican Agha Khan, Libertarian Scott DiRoma, and two independents in the general election, receiving 86.7% of the vote.

[36] Then in the general election he defeated Republican Jennifer Zinone, Libertarian John Mirrione, and two independents, receiving 83.3% of the vote.

41, authorizing $30.4 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

[46] Payne voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.

[50] On April 6, 2024, Payne was hospitalized at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center following a heart attack that his office said was a complication of diabetes.