Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-Newark) remains unconscious after suffering a heart attack on April 6, indicating that the congressman’s medical condition is substantially more severe than had been initially revealed.
Payne, a six-term Democrat from Essex County, has been on a ventilator in an intensive care unit at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for the last eleven days, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed; the 65-year-old congressman has not regained consciousness since the heart attack. His prognosis is uncertain, and his potential return to Washington is unclear.
A statement issued by Payne’s office on April 9 acknowledged the “cardiac episode” but seems to have overstated, albeit not necessarily deliberately, the degree to which the congressman was on the mend.
“Currently, he is recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct routine exams to monitor and observe his improvement,” the statement said. “The congressman’s prognosis is good, and he is expected to make a full recovery.”
Payne’s office told the New Jersey Globe last Friday, April 12, that the congressman is “still recovering” and his prognosis “continues to be good.” A spokesman for Payne declined to add anything further today.
Still, Payne’s friends are hopeful that he will overcome his current challenges, as he has in the past. Payne has battled a series of health issues in recent years, including diabetes and kidney issues that require regular dialysis.
He was first elected to Congress in 2012 after his father, Rep. Donald M. Payne Sr. (D-Newark) – the first Black congressman in New Jersey history – died of cancer. The younger Payne had previously served as the president of the Newark City Council and as an Essex County Freeholder.
In this year’s congressional elections, Payne is unopposed in the June 4 Democratic primary; his 10th district seat is among the most Democratic in the nation.
Update — Payne’s office releases the following statement at 5:40 PM: “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.”