Senior campaign adviser Michael Makarski tells The Associated Press the 41-year-old Democrat will make his candidacy official early next week.
The 10th District includes parts of Essex, Union and Hudson counties. The district has not elected a Republican since the 1940s.
Rice has filed paperwork with federal election officials switching his federal exploratory committee to a campaign account.
Others mentioned as possible candidates include Payne's son, Donald Jr., who is president of the Newark City Council, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver of East Orange.
Rice, a lawyer, is the son of veteran state Sen. Ron L. Rice.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
