New York – Congressman Charles Rangel Declares Primary Victory; Challenger Refuse To Concede

New York – U.S. Representative Charles Rangel of New York won his Democratic primary on Tuesday, successfully fighting off one of the most serious challenges of his four-decade career in Congress and paving the way for him to serve a 23rd term in office.

Rangel, who at 84 is among the longest-serving and best-known lawmakers in Congress, defeated state Senator Adriano Espaillat, according to NY1, a local television station.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Rangel had 47 percent of the vote compared to insurgent candidate State Senator Adriano Espaillat’s 44 percent.

But the challenger refused to concede, hoping to squeak out a victory from districts that had yet to be fully tallied.

“We feel this race is too close to call,” Espaillat said to cheers from his supporters outside of 809 Bar & Grill on Dyckman Street in Inwood. “This neighborhood we’re in hasn’t been counted yet, Hamilton Heights hasn’t been counted yet.”