Voters in five New York City congressional districts will cast ballots in primaries today, but the race drawing the most attention is in the 13th District where Rep. Charles Rangel is fighting to keep the seat he has held since 1971.
Rangel was on the campaign trail Monday where he accepted the endorsement of a group of green cab drivers.
Although a NY1 poll last week showed Rangel holding a 13-point lead over his nearest rival, Adriano Espaillat, he says he does not like to make predictions.
“Oh heck no. You know the whole idea with the secret ballot is that you have no idea what people are going to do,” Rangel said.
Rangel compared the election to a horse race, asking voters why they would bet on an unproven colt when he’s a proven winner.
This would be his 23rd term in office.
Meanwhile, Adriano Espaillat hopes the second time is the charm in his bid to unseat Rangel.
The state senator narrowly lost to Rangel in the 2012 primary.
He spent Monday stumping in the Bronx, and says Rangel has been ignoring the borough even though it now makes up part of the district.
He also says Rangel has even lost the support of the Obama administration.
“The White House officially reported that they’re not endorsing in this race as they didn’t do two years ago. And as they didn’t do two years before when he asked Charlie Rangel to retire in dignity,” Espaillat said.
If elected, Espaillat would be the first member of Congress ever born in the Dominican Republic.
In addition to Charles Rangel, three other longtime incumbents are facing a primary challenge today.
Congressman Gregory Meeks is looking to hold onto his seat in southeast Queens. He’s running against accountant Joe Marthone, who finished last in a four-way primary in 2012.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, who represents parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, is taking on first-time candidate Jeff Kurzon.
He’s an attorney who is pushing campaign finance reform.
In the Bronx, Congressman Jose Serrano is facing a challenge from Sam Sloan.
Sloan is a chess master and former taxi driver who once argued and won a case before the Supreme Court despite having no legal training.
In northeast Queens, Republican voters will choose between Stephen Labate and Grant Lally in the district currently represented by Democrat Steve Israel.
The polls are open today until 9 p.m.
Voters who have questions or problems should call the city Board of Elections hotline at 1-866-868-3692 or go online to vote.nyc.ny.us.
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