Donald Payne Jr. has decided to seek his late father's congressional seat representing the 10th District.

Payne tells The Associated Press he would be "proud to continue in his father's legacy."

Donald Payne Sr., New Jersey's first African-American congressman, died of cancer on March 6 and was buried Wednesday.

Payne Jr. is Newark's City Council president and the father of teenage triplets.

Pressure had been building for Payne Jr. to get into the race.

Newark Councilman Ron C. Rice and state Sen. Nia Gill announced earlier Friday that they intended to run.

The district includes parts of Essex, Union and Hudson counties in northern New Jersey.