Charles Rangel won against Adriano Espaillat in tough primary fight
UPDATED 4.45PM EST Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York held a narrow lead Tuesday night over his primary challenger state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who…
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) center, raises his arms with Adam Clinton Powell IV, left, as he claims victory over opponent state Sen. Adriano Espaillat during a primary election night gathering, Tuesday, June 24, 2014, in New York. Election officials told The Associated Press Tuesday night that the Democratic primary between Rangel and Espaillat in New York’s 13th congressional district remains too close to call, with an undetermined number of absentee and provisional ballots outstanding. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
UPDATED 4.45PM EST
Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel of New York held a narrow lead Tuesday night over his primary challenger state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who insisted that the race was too close to call.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Rangel led with 47 percent of the vote to Espaillats 44 percent. Harlem minister Michael Walrond had 8 percent and Bronx community activist Yolanda Garcia had 1 percent.
Will all precincts reporting, Rangel took 47 percent of the vote and won the Democratic primary in his New York district, according to Associated Press.
Rangel, 84 years old, is the third longest serving current member of U.S. Congress and with his victory against Espaillat cleared the way for a 23rd term.
SEE ALSO: Adriano Espaillat vying to be the first Dominican-born congressman
Rangel, who is half black and half Puerto Rican, is seeking a 23rd and final term in Congress. At 84 years old, he is the third-longest-serving member of Congress. Just before midnight, Rangel declared victory in a speech to his supporters.
We dont need a whole lot of numbers to be able to tell you how good we feel, how proud we feel, that we were able to bring together people and cultures from all over the district, Rangel told his supporters, according to The New York Times.
State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, center, declared his race with long-time Rep. Charles Rangel too close to call on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Meanwhile, Espaillat refused to concede and held onto hopes of becoming the first Dominican-born member of Congress. He told supporters the race was too close to call and insisted that every vote must be counted.
In what some are calling the rematch of the century, Rangel and Espaillat faced each other for the second time. Espaillat first challenged Rangel in 2012 but lost by fewer than 1,100 votes.
Rangels 13th Congressional District used to be predominately black. But after the 2010 Census, the district was redrawn and shifted from being majority black to majority Hispanic.
The district now includes Harlem, the Bronx and the heavily Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights.
Throughout the campaign trail, Rangel said his 43 years in Congress made him the best candidate to win. He also portrayed himself as the best candidate to help President Barack Obama fend off the tea party in his last two years in office. However, Obama did not endorse Rangel.
Meanwhile, Espaillat took aim at Rangels age, saying the 84-year-old was too old to be in Congress. He also painted Rangel as being too cozy with Wall Street and out of touch with constituents.
SEE ALSO: New group mobilizes Dominican Americans to register and vote
