Free Republic

The Associated Press has called the 10th Congressional District primary race for Newark City Councilman Donald Payne Jr. Payne Jr. out-raised, outspent, and in the end, out-campaigned fellow City Councilman Ron Rice and State Sen. Nia Gill, his two biggest challengers in a heated race to succeed his father, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who died in March after a battle with colon cancer. Payne won in the 10th District, which carries parts of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties. The seat was vacated when his father, Rep. Donald Payne Sr. died in March after a battle with colon cancer. Now...

WASHINGTON - Shortly after being elected New Jersey's governor, Democrat Jon Corzine speculated aloud that he might appoint a woman to fill out his unexpired Senate term. Then he singled out black state Sen. Nia Gill, calling her an "extraordinarily capable woman." Gill did not shy away from the hint. "I have the qualifications," she told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "If I am chosen by Jon, I am more than qualified to rise to the occasion." If Corzine does select Gill — a 57-year-old attorney — she would become only the sixth black, and second black woman ever to...

Corzine yesterday mentioned state Sen. Nia Gill, D-Montclair, an appointment that would allow him to play a role in naming the first woman and minority from New Jersey to the U.S. Senate. He called Gill "an extraordinarily capable woman."