In an extraordinary turn of events, the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. has won the Democratic primary in New Jersey's 10th Congressional District posthumously. Donald Payne Jr., who died at age 65 after suffering a heart attack, was running unopposed in the primary when he achieved this unusual political victory. This outcome has led to a unique situation, requiring special elections to fill his now-vacant seat.

Payne Jr. was hospitalized on April 6 and later passed away due to medical complications from diabetes and high blood pressure. Despite his death, his name remained on the primary ballot as the deadline for other candidates to appear had already passed. This resulted in Payne winning the primary, creating a need for immediate measures to address the vacancy.

As a result, a special primary election has been scheduled for July 16 to determine who will run to fill Payne's seat. Following this, a special general election is slated for September 18. Given that Payne will also need to be replaced on the November ballot for the term beginning in January 2025, Democratic county chairs in his district have until August 29 to name a replacement candidate. This entire process is indicative of the complexities that arise when an unopposed incumbent dies unexpectedly.

Donald Payne Jr. was first elected to the House in 2012, succeeding his late father, Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who held the same congressional seat for 20 years until his death. The Payne family's longstanding service to New Jersey's 10th Congressional District is well-acknowledged, and this familial legacy of political representation has deeply embedded the Paynes in the district's political fabric.

New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, where Payne Jr. held office, has a strong Democratic registration advantage of 6-1 and has not elected a Republican since 1946. This Democratic stronghold signifies that the upcoming special elections are likely to result in another Democrat filling the vacant seat, continuing the district's historical trend.

The immediate attention now turns to the special primary election on July 16. As this unusual situation continues to unfold, it highlights the procedural and emotional complexities involved when a sitting representative passes away suddenly, especially one with such deep-rooted connections to their constituency as Donald Payne Jr.

This series of elections will determine not just a replacement for the remainder of Payne Jr.'s term but potentially shape the future representation of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District for years to come. The Democratic Party must now navigate these unprecedented circumstances while paying homage to Payne's significant contributions and legacy.

As the Democratic county chairs deliberate on who shall replace Payne on the November ballot, the district's voters are keenly watching the developments to ensure their representation continues unabated. This scenario underscores the importance of structured contingency plans for unforeseen events in political office, ensuring the democratic process proceeds smoothly even during periods of unexpected upheaval.

The political community and the constituents of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District await the results of the upcoming special and general elections, and the selected replacement for the November ballot, marking a new chapter in a historically significant district.

For more details, you can refer to the original reports from CBS and FOX news.