WASHINGTON – Representative Donald Payne Jr., DN.J. His office said in a statement Wednesday that he had been hospitalized since early April after a “cardiac episode” stemming from complications related to diabetes.
The update comes more than a week after the deputy’s office expected “his recovery,” a “good” prognosis and a “full recovery.”
“Congressman Donald M. Payne suffered a heart attack last week due to complications from diabetes,” his office said in a statement Wednesday. “Today, he is in a stable condition and is in a local hospital under the care of a doctor. We ask everyone to keep him in your prayers while we hope he makes a full recovery.”
The new statement also a The New Jersey Globe Payne was reported unconscious. In response to a question about this report, Payne’s spokeswoman referred NBC News to the office’s latest statement.
The latest characterization gives a clearer picture of the severity of Payne’s condition than the first statement issued on April 9, just days after the incident.
“He is currently recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct regular check-ups to monitor and observe his improvement,” a previous report said. “The congressman’s prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery.”
Payne, 65, is running unopposed in the state’s June 4 Democratic primary. Since 2012, he has represented New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, which includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties. His father was the first black person elected to Congress in New Jersey; He died of cancer in 2012.
With narrow margins in the House, Payne’s absence could have a significant impact on floor votes.
The current party split is 218 Republicans to 213 Democrats, but Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis. resigns this weekend It will change to 217-213. Without Payne, the maximum number of Democrats on the ballot would be reduced to 212.
In a 217-213 scenario, Republicans can only break away from the GOP. But if it’s a 217-212 split, it could afford two defections and still pass legislation without the help of Democrats.
Kyle Stewart reported from Washington, DC and Zoe Richards reported from New York.