Brendan Gill endorses Donald Payne for re-election in NJ-10

Calling him a “champion for working families and Democratic values,” Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill has endorsed Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) for re-election in New Jersey’s 10th district,

“From writing the House version of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure bill and creating 400,000 high quality jobs in our state, to working hard to expand access to affordable health care, to standing up for abortion rights and working to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law, Congressman Payne‘s record speaks for itself and I look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver for Essex County,” said Gill.

The endorsement deprives one of Payne’s challengers, Imani Oakley, of support in her hometown of Montclair, where Gill also serves as Democratic municipal chairman.

Gill served as an Essex freeholder with Payne for most of 2012, before Payne won a special election to replace his late father in Congress.

Payne praised Gill as being “instrumental in securing the success of Democratic candidates and policy in our state.”

“His work delivering funding for infrastructure improvements and ensuring that transportation is safe and accessible in Essex County has been remarkable, as has his commitment to protecting parks and green spaces and his willingness to pass impactful climate policy,” the North Jersey congressman said.