Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) became the newest Democratic member of the House after she won the special election to succeed Payne and represent New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. Payne died in April at age 65 after suffering a cardiac episode, leaving the seat vacant for the first time since he entered Congress in 2012.

“Tonight, I walk in the footsteps of those who have came before me,” McIver said in her first floor speech. “The city of Newark, my lifelong home, has produced fierce, unyielding leaders who have dedicated their life and careers to the pursuit of justice.”

McIver paid tribute to Payne, saying he embodied the “vibrant spirit” of their home district and “was an example to many of us.”

A large coalition of people, including McIver’s family, gathered in the visitor area of the House gallery to celebrate her swearing-in, giving the New Jersey Democrat a standing ovation.

The 10th District is one of the most Democratic in the nation, and no Democratic nominee has received less than 75% of the district’s vote in the last two decades. It has not elected a Republican since 1946.

McIver won a crowded special primary in July and became the heavy favorite to win the special election, defeating Republican Carmen Bucco 81% to 16%. McIver will serve out the remainder of Payne’s term, which ends Jan. 3. She is the first black woman to represent the district and the second to represent New Jersey.

The entrance of McIver into the House Democratic ranks will bring Johnson’s majority to three seats, meaning he can only afford to lose three GOP votes to pass legislation along party lines. The speaker has operated this Congress with one of the narrowest majorities in history, with the razor-thin margins forcing him to depend on Democratic votes to pass measures — particularly on divisive legislation like government funding deals and foreign aid.

House Republicans are working to keep the majority after the 2024 election, with polling from multiple political analyst groups finding it’s either party’s game in November. New Jersey’s 10th District is considered to be one of the safest this cycle, even as Bucco prepares to battle McIver for a full term in the November general election.

New Jersey has faced several congressional delegation shake-ups this Congress. Disgraced former Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez left the chamber on Aug. 20 after he was found guilty of extortion, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, and bribery.

Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) appointed George Helmy to succeed Menendez and he was sworn in on Sept. 9. Helmy will be one of the shortest-serving senators and will resign in November once the victor of the Senate race between Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Republican Curtis Bashaw is certified.

Kim’s decision to forgo reelection to the House and seek the Senate unleashed a crowded primary in both parties, with Democratic Assemblyman Herb Conaway and Republican Rajesh Mohan winning their respective races to compete for the state’s 3rd District in November. It is rated “solid Democratic” by the Cook Political Report.

The late Democratic New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell died in late August at age 87 after nearly a month of in-and-out hospital stays. State Sen. Nellie Pou is replacing him as the Democratic nominee for the 9th District’s November election.