Democrat LaMonica McIver Wins Special Election to Fill U.S. House Vacancy in New Jersey
The special election was called following the death of U.S. Representative Donald Payne Jr. (D).
The special election occurred today to fill a vacancy from New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Democratic and Republican candidates were selected through primaries in July.
The special election for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District was called following the death of U.S. Representative Donald Payne Jr., a Democrat, following a heart attack. He represented this district from November 2012 to April 2024.
Democrat LaMonica McIver has been declared the winner of the special election. The race was called in her favor as she’s currently leading with 82.6% against Republican Carmen Bucco with 14.4%, Independent Russell Jenkins with 1.6%, and Independent Rayfield Morton with 1.4%. 23,074 votes have been counted.
McIver has represented the Central Ward on the Newark Municipal Council since 2018. Moreover, she has served as Council President since 2022.
New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District is a majority-Black seat based in parts of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties. It covers parts of Newark and Jersey City. It is the most Democratic district in the state’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The special election covers the remaining months of Payne’s unexpired term - which concludes in January 2025. McIver and Bucco are set to face off again in the regular election in November for a two-year term in office.
Once McIver is sworn in, the U.S. House of Representatives will feature 220 Republicans and 212 Democrats. The chamber has three additional vacancies, with two being filled by special elections concurrent with their regular elections this November.