Background
Payne was born in Amherst, Virginia.
Payne was born in Amherst, Virginia.
He also earned an Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia.
He served the 5th district of the state, which covers much of Southside Virginia. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and is a veteran and former officer of the United States. Army. Payne was elected as a Democrat to the 100th United States Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Dan Daniel, a conservative Democrat, and reelected to the four succeeding Congresses (serving from June 14, 1988 to January 3, 1997).
In 1994, his share of the vote fell sharply.
Payne retired from Congress and ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1997. He lost a very close general election contest to John H. Hager, failing to overcome the tide of Jim Gilmore"s gubernatorial victory over Democrat Don Beyer.
Subsequently, he joined McGuireWoods Consulting, a Washington, District of Columbia, government relations firm associated with the Richmond-based law firm McGuireWoods, Limited Liability Partnership.
1988. Payne was elected to the United States. House of Representatives with 59.3% of the vote in a special election, defeating Republican Linda L. Arey.
Payne was re-elected with 54.19% of the vote in the general election, defeating Republican Charles Robert Hawkins and Independent J.F. Cole.
1990. Payne was re-elected unopposed. 1992; Payne was re-elected with 68.9% of the vote, defeating Republican West.A. Hurlburt
1994.
Payne was re-elected with 53.28% of the vote, defeating Republican George C. Landrith.
