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A special election is happening today to determine who will replace the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Payne represented the 10th Congressional District, which is parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties.
Payne died earlier this year in April
and had served in the House for more than a decade. The remainder of his term ends Jan. 3, 2025. The regular election process will determine who fills the seat after that. On the ballot are Democratic Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver and Republican Carmen Bucco. Four Independents also filed to run. McIver won the special primary earlier this summer among 11 candidates and received endorsements from Payne’s family, Democratic party leaders and Sen. Cory Booker. She has served on Newark’s City Council since 2018 and has worked as a personnel director for Montclair Public Schools. Republican candidate Carmen Bucco describes himself on his campaign website as a small business owner influenced by his upbringing in the foster care system. He is the founder of Bucco’s Rising Stars Foundation, which helps underserved youth and those exiting foster care.