Politics & Government

Nia Gill Reiterates Intention to Run for 10th Congressional Seat

Gill is seeking the seat left open by the death of Congressman Donald M. Payne Sr.



Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex), standing outside Hat City Kitchen in Orange on Wednesday night, reinterated to supporters of heath care reform that she will definitely run for Congress.

She said she would be a candidate for Congress in the 10th District, seeking to take the seat left open after the death earlier this month of Congressman Donald M. Payne Sr.

The 10th District includes parts of Essex, Union and Hudson counties.

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The event at the popular Hat City Kitchen was designed to celebrate the second anniversary of national health care reform signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.

Gill was a co-sponsor of legislation that would create a health insurance exchange, an online marketplace where consumers and small businesses will comparison shop for health coverage in 2014, as mandated by the federal Affordable Care Act. It was approved by the New Jersey Legislature and is sitting on the desk of Gov. Chris Christie, who has yet to say whether he will sign it.

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If she won the seat, Gill would become the first New Jersey Democratic woman to serve in Congress in 50 years.

Other big Essex County names also have announced plans to run for the seat including Payne's son, Newark Council President Donald Payne Jr., Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, and Newark Councilman Ronald C. Rice.

Marilyn Joyce Lehren contributed to this report.


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