TRENTON, N.J. — Democratic Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver will fill the congressional seat that has been empty since Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. died earlier this year after defeating her Republican opponent for the opening.

McIver overcame Carmen Bucco to win the contest for 10th Congressional District in New Jersey. She will fill the remainder of Payne’s term until January, but plans to face Bucco again in November in another rematch for a full term.

Lamonica secured 81.1% of the total votes, while Bucco received 15.9%. Candidates Russel Jenkins and Rayfield Morton received 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively.

Payne, Jr. held the 10th congressional district seat since 2012. He succeeded his father Donald Payne, Sr. who was elected in 1988 and remained congressman until he died in 2012.  He died of a heart attack on April 24.

The 10th congressional district is primarily African American voters and leans Democratic. No Republican has held the district in its history.

More on the New Jersey 10th congressional district and the career of Rep. Payne, Jr.