The hotly contested Democratic congressional primary in Harlem turned uglier than ever with challenger Adriano Espaillat’s campaign accusing Rep. Charles Rangel of sending out fake eviction notices to suppress the Hispanic vote in Tuesday’s election.
A stunned Rangel, 84, who has marched and fought for civil rights during his five-decade career, insisted the accusation was a lie and immediately demanded an apology from Espaillat, a state senator.
The explosive claim against Rangel was leveled in tweets by Espaillat campaign adviser Lis Smith.
An Espaillat spokesman said the campaign received calls from citizens in Hispanic parts of East Harlem and Hamilton Heights claiming they received eviction notice fliers in Spanish from volunteers connected to the Rangel campaign.
The Rangel camp dismissed the claim as “beyond the pale” and accused Espaillat of a vicious smear and “character assassination.”
“Congressman Rangel marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to secure the right to vote, and he has fought his entire career in Congress to protect that fundamental right,” said Rangel campaign adviser Charlie King.
“For the Espaillat campaign to wildly accuse the congressman of voter suppression with no evidence whatsoever is ugly and divisive politics at its worst. It’s simply unconscionable. Senator
Espaillat should apologize for making such irresponsible accusations and stick to the issues.”
King said Espaillat is using scare tactics because has “no record to talk about.”
“But character assassination through unsupported attacks is truly beyond the pale. Shame on Senator Espaillat for bringing this campaign into the gutter – his campaign has lost all credibility,” he said.
The heated attacks and counter-attacks indicate how competitive the race is approaching Tuesday’s vote — as both nervous campaigns try to rally supporters.
Rangel, seeking a 23rd term, defeated Espaillat in a squeaker two years ago. This time around, several prominent Democratic leaders and unions abandoned Rangel.
Rangel, half African-American and half Puerto Rican, is one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus. A congressional censure in 2010 for a slew of ethics violations has stained Rangel’s legacy.
Espaillat, 59, a Dominican native who has served 16 years in the state Legislature, would become the first Dominican-American to serve in Congress, if he topples Rangel.
A third candidate, Harlem preacher Michael Walrond, an ally of Al Sharpton, has little chance of wining but is a wildcard whose vote total can affect the outcome. A fourth candidate, Yolanda Garcia, speaks little English and hasn’t shown up at any debates.
Rangel, who vowed this will be his final term if elected, is counting on strong support from black precincts and elderly voters in the congressional district that runs through portions of The Bronx as well as northern Manhattan.
Espaillat is expecting to win an overwhelming majority of Hispanic voters — particularly the Dominican enclaves in Washington Heights/Inwood and The Bronx.