Posted on Tue, Jul. 29, 2008
Age: 27.
Neighborhood: Frankford.
Who he is: Youngest member of the Pennsylvania state Legislature. He was sworn into his first term last year.
Before that: Worked as a housing counselor at United Communities in South Philadelphia helping low-income families buy homes. He was a 2005-2006 fellow with the Center for Progressive Leadership.
The kind of woman he likes: "You have to be cognizant of what's going on. You have to understand politics. You have to have a sense of humor, because I'm very silly and you have to be understanding. If I take you to an event, you have to be able to hold a conversation. And, of course, you have to be attractive."
If his love life were a reality TV show, it would be: "All Work, No Play."
Children: None.
Where we spotted him: Stu Bykofsky's Candidates Comedy Night.
Becoming known: Payton was named one of the city's most influential African-Americans by the Philadelphia Tribune.
Inspiring others: "I'm a Big Brother, and there are a bunch of younger kids that live around my house that I talk to frequently."
Back in the day: "I used to do stand-up comedy, open mike nights here and there. I wasn't good though."
E-mail: tonypaytonjr2@aol.com.
Clothing: JMcLaughlin.