Payne suffered a heart attack on April 6 and was admitted to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. His office said his heart attack was related to complications of diabetes.
The New Jersey Globe, which first reported Payne’s death, said the congressman had battled numerous health issues, including high blood pressure, kidney disease and diabetes.
The six-term congressman is the son of former Congressman Donald Payne Sr. (D.N.J.), New Jersey’s first black congressman. When his father died of colon cancer in 2012, Donald Payne Jr. ran for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.
Young Payne leaves behind his wife Beatrice and three children.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Payne served as chairman of the Newark City Council and the Essex County Commission. He previously worked as a toll collector.
Mr. Payne was a “strong supporter” of the Affordable Care Act and advocated for the Children’s Health Act, as well as cancer prevention and gun violence prevention, according to his biography.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said in a statement Wednesday that he was deeply saddened by Payne’s death.
“With his signature bow tie, big heart and tenacious spirit, Donald exemplified the best of public service,” Murphy wrote. “As a former trade unionist and rate collector, he deeply understood the challenges faced by our working families and fought bravely every day to meet their needs.”
