New York state senator Adriano Espaillat is challenging Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-NY, for his seat in Congress in the Democratic primary on June 26th. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
The stage is set for a rematch.
After a narrow loss toRepresentative Charles B. Rangelin 2012, State Senator Adriano Espaillat announced on Thursday that he would once again challenge the longtime congressman in the primary election.
“I ask you to join this journey for the next four months,” Espaillat said, speaking at the United Palace Theaterin Washington Heights. “It won’t be an easy journey, but I think it’s a road to Washington.”
Rangel, 83, has represented Harlem since 1970 for a total of 22 terms. With Harlem pastorRev. Michael Walrond Jr. already in the running,Espaillat’s announcement makes the primary a three-way race.
Rangel, who was found guilty of ethical violations in 2010, defeated Espaillatby a razor-thin margin of1086 votes in 2012.
The primary election is set for June 24.
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