Donald Payne, New Jersey Congressman, Flown Home For Cancer Treatment

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.), 77, was flown home from Washington on Friday to continue treatment for colon cancer. Payne, New Jersey's first African-American member of Congress, was taken on a medical transport flight back to his home state, following a stay at a Washington-area hospital. PolitickerNJ.com reported that Payne is "gravely ill."

Payne's son, Newark City Council President Donald Payne Jr., told the Star-Ledger about his father's condition.

"We're still a bit optimistic, but I mean you know it is what it is. It's cancer," Payne Jr. said.

Rep. Payne announced he had colon cancer last month, at which time he said his condition was treatable. He also said he would continue his bid for a 13th term.

PolitickerNJ.com reported that members of Congress were told to visit Payne at George Washington University Hospital earlier on Friday before he left for New Jersey.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker saluted Payne during his State of the City address Thursday night, calling the congressman a "fighter." Payne's son missed the speech to be with his father in Washington, Newark Patch reported.

Payne is a longtime stalwart of politics in Newark, having served as the city's congressman since 1989, when he succeeded retiring House Judiciary Committee Chairman Peter Rodino (D). Prior to being elected to Congress, Payne was a Newark city councilman and an Essex County freeholder. He had previously unsuccessfully challenged Rodino in a Democratic primary for the congressional seat.

His family is also prominent in Newark political circles. In addition to his son holding both the city council presidency and a county freeholder seat, Payne's brother and one nephew are former state assemblymen, and a cousin chairs the Essex County Democratic Party.

Payne represents parts of Essex, Union and Hudson counties, a territory that remained largely unchanged in the Garden State's latest redistricting. His district includes sections of New Jersey's two largest cities, Newark and Jersey City. Payne is a member of the House Education and Foreign Affairs committees and is the ranking Democrat on the latter panel's Africa Subcommittee.

During a 2009 official visit to Somalia, Payne was a passenger on a plane at which rebels fired missiles. The plane was not hit in the attack.

Payne is currently locked in a Democratic primary battle for reelection with Newark Councilman Ron Rice, the son of a powerful Newark state senator.

Comments

[masterhq]

05:15 AM on 03/15/2012

He was in Congress for over 20 years. I read about the adulation but what did he accomplish for his district or the state?

[MNUSA]

07:56 PM on 03/03/2012

Have your colonoscopies people. This is such a preventable cancer. Colonoscopies aren't pleasant, but they save lives. And when Obamacare kicks in (2014) preventative healthcare will be covered for everyone.

[Deep Thinking Man]

01:10 PM on 03/03/2012

medical Cannabis would help if Mr. Payne would use it !!!!!...it relieves the side-effects of the chemo and radiation and it would also help his appetite !!!!!!!...he could eat in in recipes...vaporize it...or smoke it !!!!!

[Twelve]

12:31 PM on 03/03/2012

Been there, done that and I survived. You will too.

[trussia1]

12:14 PM on 03/03/2012

God bless.

[JerzGirl226]

11:46 AM on 03/03/2012

As a longtime constituent of Rep. Payne, I am very sad to hear that he is not doing so well.

[chickline]

11:23 AM on 03/03/2012

Thoughts with you, Sir, at this time.

[Leon Higdon]

11:21 AM on 03/03/2012

Another Seat Turns "RED"

[ljc]

10:49 AM on 03/03/2012

Get well sir.

( good thing his employer has no religious or moral disagreement with his treatment )

[Tea for me]

04:13 AM on 03/03/2012

Ah....gravely ill...so sorry for him and his family....going through this.
Wish him......and them...care, comfort, peace...this is very, very serious.

Tea..Democrats 2012

[John Keilman]

01:58 AM on 03/03/2012

He needs to go see Dr. Burzynski.

[libluv235]

11:21 PM on 03/02/2012

I wish him well and an effective therapy.

[fairness6]

10:12 PM on 03/02/2012

My prayers and thoughts are with Congressman Ronald Payne and his family. He is a great man. A fair man.

[fairness6]

10:40 PM on 03/02/2012

Sorry, Congressman Donald Payne.

[dimwinner]

09:39 PM on 03/02/2012

My prayers are with you Senator Payne, I pray that you have a complete recovery. I hope NJ rallies around you as do I from NM.

[Americanwoman55]

09:32 PM on 03/02/2012

was taken on a medical transport flight back to his home state, following a stay at a Washington-area hospital. PolitickerNJ.com reported that Payne is "gravely ill."

Isn't nice to have taxpayer paid medical treatment. The best money can buy. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mello1319]

10:11 PM on 03/02/2012

Too bad you can't just wish the guy well. Too bad for you.

[Americanwoman55]

10:36 PM on 03/02/2012

I do wish him well!!!! I am pointing out a fact!!!!

[mddunnings]

07:17 AM on 03/03/2012

55 You should be embarrassed. You have made a fool of yourself. This is not the time or circumstance for your nonsense.

[abbienormal]

08:53 AM on 03/03/2012

Agreed.

[Americanwoman55]

09:19 AM on 03/03/2012

Really, how many americans have no insurance and are beingtold by Congress there is no money for Medicare and have to decide between medicine and rent and food. REALLY!! Who do you think is paying for this. I wish this man the very best and a very quick and safe and healthy recovery. I hope he runs and is reelected. I pray he wins. I also want OBAMACARE in place!!!!!!