Linden Mayor Derek Armstead Endorses Congressman Payne

NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr., is announcing the endorsement of Linden Mayor Derek Armstead for his campaign in the Democratic primary election in the 10th congressional district. Mayor Armstead has been a close ally of Congressman Payne for several years and his support adds to numerous other local and statewide elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Payne.

“Congressman Payne has always been a friend and a strong advocate for the City of Linden, and his assistance has been invaluable in helping bring federal funds to our local government to pay for affordable housing, job training and other important programs,” said Mayor Armstead. “I’m supporting Congressman Payne because he understands what working people need, and we can count on him to fight for us in Washington every day.”

Congressman Payne has delivered significant federal grant funding to Linden, including over $1.2 million in 2021 to the Linden Housing Authority to support its public housing and job training programs.

“I’m thankful to Mayor Armstead for his support and the leadership he has shown in moving Linden forward,” said Congressman Payne. “Communities like Linden are full of promise, but they also need support from partners in government to reach their full potential and improve their residents’ quality of life. I’m proud of the work we have done to support the City of Linden, and I look forward to working with Mayor Armstead and local leaders in the future.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by 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.

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