Rep. Charlie Rangel may have a few (read: 13) ethics charges against him, but he’s also got another problem back home: his bitter Democratic primary contest in Harlem. Rangel is facing Adam Clayton Powell IV, the son of a celebrated Harlem hero who, ironically, lost the NY-15 seat to Rangel 40 years ago amidst his own ethics troubles.
Powell’s father was the first black member of Congress. Seventh Avenue is named after him in Harlem, and he is legendary for his civil rights advocacy in the days of powerful segregationist congressman.
The younger Powell, a five-term member of the state assembly who touts his pedigree along the campaign trail, was born in Puerto Rico and speaks fluent Spanish, which appeals to a growing number of Hispanic voters in the district.
For Powell, winning this election would be something of a catharsis on behalf of his father, who Rangel unseated in 1970. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. lost his seat after his wife testified that she remained on his payroll years after she moved back to Puerto Rico.
This hasn’t stopped Powell himself from hitting the incumbent congressman for his own ethics troubles — he’s called Rangel “corrupt,” and said that his father “would be turning over in his grave” if he knew about Rangel’s conduct, according to the New York Times.
But Powell’s got problems of his own. He was investigated in connection with two sexual assault allegations in 2004, though never charged. He was also convicted of a misdemeanor for driving while impaired in 2008.
Then there are the voters. However blase Rangel may be about his ethics charges, throwing birthday bashes and implying he wants to give his critics the finger, Manhattan voters aren’t so dismissive. A poll of Manhattanites taken on August 27 shows that 70% think he should end his 20-term career, with 46% saying he should finish out his term but end his campaign, and 24% saying he should just resign now. Of course, that’s Manhattan — Rangel’s actual district is just a small section of the island borough.
According to a July PPP poll — the only public poll of the 15th District heading into Tuesday’s primary — the ethics charges don’t seem to have hurt Rangel too much. He still enjoyed an 18-point lead over Powell in July, and he’s been crushing him in fundraising. Through August 25, Rangel had raised nearly $2.7 million and reported $422,668 cash on hand. Powell had raised just $126,000 and reported $38,904 cash on hand.
The fruits of Rangel’s spending are evident in Harlem. His campaign signs are far more prevalent than Powell’s.
The primary will be held this Tuesday, September 14.
