Payne endorses Codey in 27th district Senate primary

Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.  (D-Newark) today endorsed Richard Codey (D-Roseland) for re-election to State Senate in the 27th district, along with five other candidates for the legislature running on the Essex County Democratic organization line.

In an incumbent vs. incumbent contest stemming from legislative redistricting, Codey faces his longtime colleague, Nia Gill (D-Montclair), in the June 6 Democratic primary.

“Senator Codey has been a stalwart champion for working families and Democratic values for decades, and we need his leadership in the State Senate to ensure that we can continue to deliver progress for our communities,” Payne said.

Payne’s late father, Donald Payne, Sr., was a longtime friend of Codey.  When Codey ran for his first term in the State Assembly in 1973, he received support from Payne Sr., a first-year Essex County Freeholder.

Following Payne’s death in 2012, Gill challenged Payne’s son in the Democratic primary but lost 60%-17%.

Payne also endorsed Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Alixon Collazos-Gill in the 27th.

In the 28th, Payne is supporting State Sen. Renee Burgess (D-Irvington); in the Assembly race, he’s supporting incumbent Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) and Garnet Hall.

“I’m proud to support Senator Codey as well as this outstanding Essex County Democratic Committee legislative ticket which includes both veteran lawmakers and talented new candidates with the energy and experience to get things done for the people,” Payne said.  “I’m fighting every day in Washington to stand up to extreme Republican attempts to derail our economy, restrict abortion rights and block common-sense gun safety legislation, and I know that Senator Codey and the rest of the Essex County Democratic Team share those values and will deliver for the 27th and 28th districts.”