Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-N.J., is reportedly unconscious and on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 11 days after suffering a heart attack on April 6th.
The 65-year-old congressman has not regained consciousness since the cardiac episode, and his prognosis is currently uncertain, as is the potential for his return to the House of Representatives.
This indicates that Payne’s medical condition is more severe than initially revealed by a statement from his office on April 9th.
At the time, that statement acknowledged the “cardiac episode” but stated “he is recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct routine exams to monitor and observe his improvement” and that “The congressman’s prognosis is good, and he is expected to make a full recovery.”
When the New Jersey Globe followed up with Payne’s office on April 12th, they were told the congressman is “still recovering” and his prognosis “continues to be good.”
A spokesman for Payne declined to provide any further details to the newspaper, which later confirmed through sources that Payne has remained in a coma — and his recovery is uncertain.
Payne, a six-term Democrat representing New Jersey’s 10th congressional district, has battled various health issues in recent years, including diabetes and kidney problems requiring dialysis. Despite these challenges, friends said they remain hopeful he can overcome his current condition.
He was first elected to Congress in 2012 after the death of his father, Rep. Donald M. Payne Sr., who was New Jersey’s first Black congressman. The younger Payne previously served on the Newark City Council and as an Essex County Freeholder.
In this year’s elections, Payne is currently unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the June 4th primary. His district is considered among the most Democratic-leaning in the nation.
Payne’s office released this statement an updated statement on Wednesday that read:
Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. suffered a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes last week. Today, he is in stable condition at a local hospital and continues to be under doctor’s care. While we hope for a full recovery, we ask everyone to keep him in your prayers.
Stephen Dietrich is the Publisher of The Horn News