Newark’s LaMonica McIver Clinches Democratic Primary for NJ House Seat

Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver has emerged victorious in the special House Democratic primary to fill the late Donald Payne Jr. seat in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. 

The primary, held on Tuesday, July 16th, saw McIver triumph over a crowded field of 11 candidates.

McIver, who has served on Newark’s city council since 2018, gained widespread support leading up to the primary, including endorsements from Payne’s family, party leaders, and Democratic Senator Cory Booker and Governor Phil Murphy. 

“In my short period of time campaigning, I spent a lot of time talking with different residents about their ability to afford to live,” McIver stated in an interview following her win.

The special general election, set for September 18 by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, will decide who completes Payne’s term through January 3, 2025. Concurrently, the regular election will establish the subsequent full-term representative.

While not automatically included, McIver remains a strong contender for the full term, to be decided by Democratic committee members next month.

During her tenure in Newark, McIver has championed the creation of an office dedicated to violence prevention and trauma recovery, focusing on mental health, drug abuse, and gang violence. 

She has expressed support for developing affordable housing, safeguarding women’s rights to abortion, enhancing healthcare access, and investing in transit infrastructure.

The 10th Congressional District, a heavily Democratic and majority-Black region in northern New Jersey, has seen Republicans outnumbered by more than 6 to 1. 

Republican Carmen Bucco ran uncontested in the GOP primary and will face the Democratic nominee in the regular election. The seat has not been held by a Republican since 1948.

Payne served the 10th Congressional District for 12 years before passing away in April at 65 due to health complications from diabetes. 

His death occurred just before the standard June primaries, and since he was the only candidate listed on the regular Democratic primary ballot at the time of his death, it necessitated a special election.