Rep. Donald Payne (D), New Jersey's first and only African-American congressional figure, passed away Tuesday morning at age 77 after a long battle with colon cancer.
Payne announced in February that he was undergoing treatment on the disease and expected to fully recover before his health diminished last week, according to the New Jersey Star Ledger.
Payne represented New Jersey's 10th congressional district for 23 years and was facing a primary battle for his seat in June against Newark Councilman Ronald Rice.
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