The third person interviewed for the 10th Congressional Seat was Donald Payne, Jr., President of the Newark city Council. While Mr. Payne failed to inform us that he would be unable to make two prior interviews, he did contact us eventually.

Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. You are trying to follow in the footsteps of your father’s career. He has kept the relations with both sides of the aisle and kept his head high all the time. What made you reach the decision to run for Congress?

Donald Payne, Jr.: On March 6^th the district has lost a great leader. I had to reevaluate everything going on my life. I talked to my family and children, and I realized to run for congress is the right thing to do. In this difficult time of ours, I should offer the district the public service that they are accustomed to.

 The race for the 10th Congressional District has two newcomers to the main stage. We reached out to Cathy Wright, but were not able to have her for an interview. However, we did get some feedback from candidate Dennis Flynn.

Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. What made you reach the decision to run for Congress?

Dennis Flynn: I am running for congress due to the fiscal and social policies. Other candidates have a few real concerns and are interested in political issues, not real issues. I made the decision a few weeks after Payne passed away. I am running for any political seat for the first time. I live in Belleville.

 To give our readers the best insight as to who to vote for in the June 5th Primary, Local Talk has conducted interviews with several of the candidates for the 10th Congressional District seat, once held by the late Congressman Donald M. Payne, Sr.  The first person to be interviewed was Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, who came by our office.

Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. Why are you running for Congress?

Wayne Smith: It is a historical election. For the first time there is a vacancy. Congress needs a new direction for the 10th Congressional District. As a mayor and as a legislator and council president, I am the true candidate. I know how to focus and how to create jobs and grow the economy with a federal empowerment zone. I will use incentives to create jobs with livable wages. In regard to healthcare, whatever happens in the Supreme Court, we need affordable Medicare for citizens and seniors. Ending the Bush tax cuts, we need long-term healthcare for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security Recipients.

The second candidate interviewed about her candidacy for the 10th Congressional Seat was State Senator Nia Gill.

Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. Congressman Donald Payne, Sr. left a legacy for his work, especially in the African Nations. Are you trying to follow his ideology?

Nia Gill: It determines how. Donald Payne was strong with HIV/AIDS; I am strong with the creation of a needle exchange bill. Payne was strong with Anti-Trafficking; I am strongest with legislation that made it illegal to force servitude - prostitution for immigration - which Governor Christie signed into law. Those under the age of 18 in this circumstance who are picked up for prostitution would be treated as victims of human trafficking. Payne voted for a health care reform bill; my bill passed both the houses for a state health insurance exchange, a key requirement of the federal health care reform law.