Charlie Rangel Clings to Lead in Primary Fight

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New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel held a slim lead in a primary race against state Sen. Adriano Espaillat early Wednesday, as the longtime incumbent looked for a victory that would give him what he’s said will be one last term in Congress.

With almost 99% of precincts reporting, Rangel, the third-longest-serving member of Congress was leading with about 47% of the vote to Espaillat’s 44%. The winner is almost certain to represent Harlem and part of the Bronx in Congress for another two years; there’s no Republican candidate in the race. Rangel faced a repeat challenge from Espaillat in a rapidly changing district just two years after almost losing to the upstart Democrat. Amid health problems in 2012, Rangel, the former House Ways and Means Committee chairman, narrowly defeated the Dominican-American lawmaker by less than 1,100 votes. That came just two years after he was censured by the House of Representatives—and abandoned by many of his Democratic colleagues—for multiple ethics violations.

Rangel addressed supported Tuesday night to declare victory, thanking a long list of staffers and supporters. Down about 1,800 votes, Espaillat had yet to concede early Wednesday morning, telling supporters Tuesday night that the race was too close to call. Absentee and affidavit ballots could potentially close the gap between the candidates. On Tuesday, Espaillat’s campaign circulated a memo highlighting voting irregularities in the district in 2012.

Through a combination of redistricting and neighborhood trends, Rangel’s district, once majority black, is now dominated by Hispanic voters. But Rangel, 84, appeared set to slightly expand on his 2012 margin of victory, despite much of the New York City Democratic establishment deserting him. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Comptroller Scott Stringer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. backed Espaillat, while Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Barack Obama stayed neutral in the race. Rangel was buoyed by a late endorsement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo this weekend.

Espaillat devoted his campaign to the argument that it was time for a change after 40 years, saying Rangel had abandoned his constituents to do the bidding of Wall Street. Rangel, who was first elected in 1970, campaigned on his experience. He dismissed Espaillat’s challenge in their first debate by saying, “What the heck has he done, besides saying he’s a Dominican?”

Rangel has said his next term would be his last, allowing him to see out the Obama presidency.

Charlie Rangel's Famous Friends Are Happy He's Still on Capitol Hill

Vanessa Williams, Alfonse D?Amato, Charles Rangel
Miss America Vanessa Williams is flanked by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., left, and Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, R-N.Y., during a reception on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 17, 1983. Edmonds—AP
Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins and Rep. Charles R
Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins and Rep. Charles Rangel endorse Jesse Jackson for President at City Hall in New York City, Nov. 25, 1987.Ed Molinari—New York Daily News/Getty Images
Stevie Wonder, Charles Rangel, David Dinkins
U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, D-NY, right, voices his support for Mayor David Dinkins, left, along with singer Stevie Wonder, center, at a "Get Out The Vote" rally in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on Oct. 30, 1993. Jim Cooper—AP
Nelson Mandela
South African President Nelson Mandela, left, and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton are joined by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., during a luncheon at the White House in Washington on Oct. 5, 1994.Doug Mills—AP
CLINTON POWELL RANGEL
President Clinton talks with Colin Powell, center and Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., prior to a Congressional Black Caucus dinner in Washington, Sept. 23, 1995.Doug Mills—AP
Al Gore, Charles Rangel
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., right, walks with U.S. Vice President Al Gore during a tour of an Empowerment Zone in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, March 3, 1995. Mark Lennihan—AP
CLINTON RANGEL AND VANDROSS AT RALLY IN HARLEM.
U.S. President Bill Clinton waits to speak to a Democratic rally in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City with Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) (L) and singer Luther Vandross (C), Nov. 4, 2000. Reuters
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Manhattan) talks with the Rev. Al Sha
Rep. Charles Rangel talks with the Rev. Al Sharpton at a meeting of representatives of the Haitian community and members of Congress on March 29, 2000.Harry Hamburg—New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Bill Clinton Welcomed at New Harlem Offices
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton sings with U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, left, and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, right, in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, July 30, 2001.Mario Tama—Getty Images
54th Annual Directors Guild Of America Honors
Rosie Perez and Congressman Charles Rangel at the Directors Guild of America dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, June 9, 2002. Jim Spellman—WireImage/Getty Images
Halle Berry and Congressman Charles Rangel at the Directors
Halle Berry and Congressman Charles Rangel at the Directors Guild of America dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, June 9, 2002. Richard Corkery—New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The 134th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth - New York - Arrivals
Congressman Charles Rangel and basketball star Dikembe Mutombo during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The 134th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 20, 2004. Paul Andrew Hawthorne—WireImage/Getty Images
Tribeca Film Festival VIP Opening Luncheon
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and congressman Charles Rangel attend the VIP Opening Luncheon before the Tribeca Film Festival at the Tribeca Loft in New York City on May 1, 2004.Frank Micelotta—Getty Images
Democrats Discuss Impact Of Social Security Reform On African Americans
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) before the start of a news conference in Washington, March 10, 2005.Mark Wilson—Getty Images
Nancy Pelosi Discusses Social Security
U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) shares a moment with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) as Rep. John Larson (D-CT) listens during a news conference on the reform of the Social Security system on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 26, 2005.Alex Wong—Getty Images
Tony Bennett's 80th Birthday Party - Inside
Congressman Charles Rangel and Donald Trump at Tony Bennett's 80th Birthday Party in New York City, August 3, 2006.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Hillary Rodham Clinton,Charles Rangel,Chelsea Clinton
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., is seen with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and her daughter Chelsea Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Aug. 27, 2008. Charlie Neibergall—AP
Charles Rangel, Al Sharpton, Pamela Belafonte, Harry Belafonte, Alfonse D'Amato
From left, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Pamela Belafonte, Harry Belafonte, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato are photographed together during Rangel's birthday fundraiser at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, Aug. 11, 2010.Mary Altaffer—AP
#GetCoveredTour - Press Conference
Charles Rangel and Juelz Santana attend the #GetCoveredTour press conference at Sylvia's in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on March 28, 2014.Johnny Nunez—WireImage/Getty Images

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