Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill Endorses Payne for Congress

Commissioner Gill Cites Payne’s Commitment to Public Safety, the Environment, and Protecting Democratic Values

NEWARK, NJ – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., (D-Newark), is announcing that his campaign has received the endorsement of Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, who is citing Congressman Payne’s work to pass President Biden’s legislative agenda, and commitment to protecting abortion rights. In addition to serving as a County Commissioner, Gill is the Chairman of the Montclair Democratic Committee and a key advisor to Governor Phil Murphy.

“Congressman Payne has always been a champion for working families and Democratic values, and I’m glad to endorse him on behalf of both myself and the Montclair Democratic Committee,” said Commissioner Gill. “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.”

Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which was signed into law, and will deliver billions of dollars to rebuild roads, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, and create high paying new jobs in communities across New Jersey. He supported the Women’s Health Protection Act when it was voted on in the House of Representatives, and this week called for the U.S. Senate to vote on the critical bill to protect a woman’s right to choose.

“Whether through his roles as an elected official, a political leader or a strategist, Brendan Gill has been instrumental in securing the success of Democratic candidates and policy in our state,” said Congressman Payne. “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. I am so honored to have Commissioner Gill’s endorsement, and look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver for Essex County.”

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.