The family of Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) has closed the late congressman’s campaign account, giving away roughly $100,000 that was in his warchest at the time of his death on April 24.
My Mississippi Hope, a non-profit formed to address health disparities for mostly Black residents in the Mississippi Delta living below the poverty level, received a $45,000 contribution from the Payne campaign.
“Mississippi ranks in the top for heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and amputation rates. Despite the poor health and alarming statistics, Mississippi ranks last in the number of physicians per capita,” the organization’s website states. “Preventative care and access to health education programs are challenging to find.”
The Payne campaign said the donation is intended to fund the cost of securing vans to transport patients to and from their medical appointments.
“These patients, who are primarily Black and reside in rural areas with a 30-40% poverty rate, struggle to access crucial heart and vascular healthcare services due to transportation challenges, sometimes having to travel two hours to see a physician. Many patients in this region suffer from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition that can lead to limb amputations if not managed appropriately,” the Payne campaign said in a report to the Federal Election Commission. “The donation aims to improve the health outcomes of this community.”
As a congressman, Payne sponsored the Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act, which would require Medicare and Medicaid coverage of PAD screenings to help reduce unnecessary amputations in the African American community.
An additional $5,000 went to the Donald M. Payne, Sr. Global Foundation, which was formed in tribute to Payne’s father, a twelve-term congressman, to fund high school scholars to take college-level civics classes at Seton Hall School of Diplomacy as part of the Seton Hall University Acceleration Program.
His campaign treasurer told the Federal Election Commission that Payne designed the two charitable contributions before his death.
Payne’s treasurer told the FEB that the campaign has no remaining assets or debts and that any remaining cash balances will go to the Payne Foundation.
The campaign returned a $2,000 contribution from the American Association for Justice PAC that was received on May 1, refunded a $1,000 contribution from former Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York); a $480 check from Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Chicago) was also sent back.
The campaign also paid off outstanding campaign bills. Eric Payne, the late congressman’s fundraiser and cousin, was paid through the end of June.