Espaillat concedes to Rangel, announces run to keep state Senate seat

Seth Wenig/AP Following his loss to Rep. Charles Rangel, State Sen. Adriano Espaillat promptly announced he is running again for State Senate — though earlier this month he told the Daily News he had no plans to do so.

Like the USA, State Sen. Adriano Espaillat has lost — and is moving onto the next round.

Less than 48 hours after he said he would not concede to Rep. Charles Rangel until every paper ballot was counted, Espaillat on Thursday afternoon called his rival to congratulate him on his victory.

Espaillat then promptly announced he is running again for State Senate — though earlier this month he told the Daily News he had no plans to do so.

“I don’t have any plans to go back to Albany,” Espaillat said two weeks ago.

On Thursday, it was clear his thinking had changed.

Julie Jacobson/AP Rangel had a lead of about 1,800 votes after election night Tuesday. Espaillat made his decision to concede after it became clear there would not be enough paper ballots in his favor to win, an aide said.

“Today, I am announcing my re-election campaign for the New York Senate from where I will continue to work to find new ways to bring jobs, affordable housing and immigration reform to our community,” he said in a statement.

Rangel had a lead of about 1,800 votes after election night Tuesday. Espaillat made his decision to concede after it became clear there would not be enough paper ballots in his favor to win, an aide said.

Espaillat has until July 10 to file petitions to get his name on the ballot for the September Senate primary.

Former City Councilman Robert Jackson (D-Harlem), who campaigned for Rangel, also kicked off his bid for Espaillat’s seat on Thursday.

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