Congressman Payne Receives Endorsement from Representative Chuy Garcia 

Payne Earns Support from Prominent Representative, Citing his Commitment to Progressive Values like Healthcare and Choice

NEWARK, NJ – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) is announcing that he has been endorsed by one of the leading progressve voices in Congress, Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) who is citing Payne’s commitment to expanding healthcare access and fighting for reproductive rights.

“I am thrilled to endorse Congressman Donald Payne for reelection,” said Rep. Garcia. “Congressman Payne has demonstrated time and time again that he will show up and fight for his constituents and for the most pressing issues facing our country. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Congressman Payne played a key role in delivering President Joe Biden’s historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A champion for expanding access to healthcare who supports Medicare For All, he has also been a vocal supporter of a woman’s right to choose. I know he will keep advocating for reproductive rights and working to make sure everyone is able to access the care they need. I look forward to continuing working with Congressman Payne in Washington to achieve real change.”

Congressman Payne has been a fierce advocate for expanding access to healthcare. He passed a bill that expands Medicare to cover lifesaving cancer screenings like colonoscopies, has been a strong supporter of the Patient Protection Act, and is a co-sponsor of the Medicare for All proposal. He has also spoken out strongly against the draft SCOTUS opinion overturning Roe vs. Wade, and voted in support of the House version of the Women’s Health Protection Act which would codify the right to an abortion in federal law.

“Congressman Garcia is an exceptional leader for his district and the country,” said Congressman Payne. “His work fighting for voting rights, labor protections, and bold climate legislation has been an inspiration to me, and I am honored to receive his endorsement. Chuy Garcia never backs down from a challenge and he’s shown that throughout his career in public service, so I’m excited to have him standing with me in this election.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Governor Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

About Congressman Payne: 

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values, and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.