Lewis Franklin (L.F.) Payne Jr. (born July 9, 1945) is an American businessman, politician and lobbyist who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1988 to 1997. He served five terms representing the 5th district of the state, covering much of Southside Virginia.
Payne was elected as a Democrat to the 100th United States Congress, in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Dan Daniel. Payne legislated as a conservative Democrat and was 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 in 1997 and ran for lieutenant governor in that same year. He lost a close general election contest to John H. Hager, failing to overcome the tide of Jim Gilmore's gubernatorial victory over Democrat Don Beyer.
Later career
He then joined McGuireWoods Consulting, a Washington, D.C.–based government relations and lobbying firm associated with the Richmond-based law firm McGuireWoods, LLP.
Electoral history
1988 – Payne was elected to the U.S. 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 W.A. Hurlburt
1994 – Payne was re-elected with 53.28% of the vote, defeating Republican George C. Landrith.
