From left: Donald Payne Jr., Laura Richardson and Jackie Lacey. (Photos: Courtesy City of Newark, Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, jackielacey.com)

The Congressional Black Caucus may soon welcome a new face with a familiar name after Democratic primary voters nominated Newark City Council President Donald Payne Jr. to fill the seat left vacant by his late father, New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who lost his battle with colon cancer in March.
"I will work every day in Washington. I had the example before me. I know what needs to be done," Payne told supporters Tuesday night. "I know the path. It's up to me to follow it. So I promise you that when I take office in the next Congress, that I will make you proud and we will continue to serve this community."
Payne, whose fundraising and name recognition outpaced his opponents, faced criticism during the race that he was largely running on his father's legacy and was unprepared to follow in those footsteps. In the fall he will face off with Republican Brian Kelemen, but given the fact that the district is overwhelmingly made up of Democrats, he is favored to win.
The CBC may also lose a familiar name and face in November. Based on early results, ethics-plagued Rep. Laura Richardson (D-California) is significantly trailing opponent Rep. Janice Hahn, also a Democrat. Several precincts must still be counted, but according to a Los Angeles Daily News report, Hahn so far has 62 percent of the vote. The two lawmakers will face each other again in November.
Los Angeles County's Chief Deputy District Attorney Jackie Lacey, however, has reason to celebrate. Although the race was close, she won 32 percent of the vote in her bid to become the county's first African-American and first woman district attorney. Because there was no clear majority, however, she and Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson, who came in second with 23 percent, will be back on the ballot this fall.
"I feel the same way I feel whenever I had a big trial. Once I put my best foot forward, put the evidence on, argued the case, I never worried about what the jury was going to do because I felt like I did my part," Lacey said. "And that's how I feel about this election."

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