Democrat Donald M. Payne, who had represented the 10th district since 1989, died on March 6, 2012.
On June 5, 2012, in the Democratic primary for the special election, Payne's son, Donald Payne Jr. (president of the Newark Municipal Council and member of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders), defeated Ronald C. Rice (son of State Senator Ronald Rice) and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith [REF].