Donald Milford Payne Jr. (born December 17, 1958) is an American politician who has been the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 10th congressional district since 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, Payne served as president of the Newark city council from 2010 to 2012.Following the death of his father, U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, on March 6, 2012, Payne ran in the primary to succeed him in Congress. His father was first elected in 1988 and reelected 11 times without significant opposition. Payne Jr. won the June 5, 2012 Democratic primary election, which is tantamount to election in the heavily Democratic district, and the November 6, 2012 general election.