U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., Democrat of New Jersey, has died at age 65 following a heart attack.

TRENTON, NJ (AP) – U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., of New Jersey, died Wednesday after a heart attack this month that left him hospitalized, officials said. He was 65 years old.

In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy called his Democratic colleague “an unwavering champion of the people of New Jersey.”

“With his iconic bow tie, big heart and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the best in public service,” Murphy said in a statement. “As a former union worker and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working families face, and he fought valiantly to meet their needs, every day.

Payne had previously served as president of the Newark City Council in New Jersey’s largest city and as a member of the Essex County Board of Commissioners.

Payne’s office had said his heart attack was related to complications from diabetes. Payne’s father, Donald Milford Payne, held the congressional seat before him. When the elder Payne died in 2012, the younger Payne successfully ran in a special election to succeed him.

Since then, he has been re-elected six times. The district covers part of Newark and its densely populated suburbs.

A New Jersey colleague, Democratic U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, called Payne “a truly great public servant” who liked to call him “Uncle Frank” and fought to raise awareness for diabetes and colorectal cancer prevention and to replace lead pipes in Newark.

Payne’s survivors include his wife, Beatrice, and their three children, Murphy said.