LaMonica McIver sworn in to Congress, replacing the late Donald Payne Jr. • New Jersey Monitor

Democrat LaMonica McIver was sworn on Monday night in Washington, DC, to succeed the late Donald Payne Jr. as the 10th Congressional District’s representative in the House, becoming the first Black woman to represent the district and the second to represent New Jersey.

McIver was joined in our nation’s capital by family members and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who she said introduced her to politics at the age of 10. In those years, she said, she saw how government at all levels can impact daily life in local communities .

“While I walk in the footsteps of those who came before me, it is my hope to blaze new trails together on the march toward fully realizing the promise of our great American nation,” she said in brief remarks after her swearing-in.

McIver, who won a special election last week, will serve the remainder of Payne’s term, which ends Jan. 3. She soundly defeated Republican Carmen Bucco, snagging more than 80% of the roughly 32,000 votes cast.

The two will face off again in the Nov. 5 general election, and McIver is expected to win that too. The urban, diverse district, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 6 to 1, hasn’t served a Republican to the House in nearly 80 years.

Payne, 65, died in April after a heart attack. Payne was first elected to Congress in 2012 when he succeeded his late father, Donald Payne Sr. The elder Payne had served in the seat since 1989.

On Monday, McIver praised his predecessor as having “embodied the vibrant spirit of our city and the people he faithfully served.”

McIver, 38, a Newark native, stepped down from her post as Newark City Council president last week. She became the favorite to finish Payne’s term after beating almost a dozen competitors in a crowded Democratic special primary in July.

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

“As I stand here tonight, I am filled with more optimism than ever before that we can accomplish so much together, that we can find common ground, that we can disagree while nurturing our democracy, that we can bring the voices of our beautiful, diverse communities together, that we can protect and strengthen the freedoms and opportunities that make America America,” McIver said Monday.

McIver listed universal health care, gun control, and addressing environmental racism as priorities for her congressional service. She previously worked in human resources for school districts in Montclair, Willingboro, Secaucus, and Newark.

McIver was the second new congressperson from New Jersey to be seated this month. George Helmy got sworn in Sept. 9 to finish former Sen. Bob Menendez’s term after Menendez resigned because of his federal bribery conviction. Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat, aims to succeed him in a race that pits him against Republican Curtis Bashaw.

Rep. Bill Pascrell died last month at age 87. Democratic officials elected state Sen. Nellie Pou to replace him on the November ballot as the Democratic nominee in the 9th District.