Rangel Surrogates Target Espaillat’s Re-election Plans
ROSS BARKAN
Congressman Charlie Rangel’s re-election campaign is wielding ex-pols as surrogates to cast doubt on his chief rival’s integrity.
Robert Jackson and Adam Clayton Powell IV, both former uptown lawmakers, slammed State Senator Adriano Espaillat this week for leaving the door open to seeking re-election to the senate if his rematch congressional bid against Mr. Rangel fails.
“If Senator Espaillat plans to run for the state Senate this year if he loses his campaign for Congress again, he should say so now in order for voters to evaluate his genuine commitment to his congressional run. Otherwise, he should sign an ironclad guarantee that he will not run for both offices at the same time,” Mr. Jackson, a former Harlem and Washington Heights councilman, said in a statement sent today from Mr. Rangel’s campaign.
“The people of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx deserve both the truth from Senator Espaillat and a Congressman who is fully committed to serving them in that office,” he added. “Elected office is a privilege from the people – not a cynical game of musical chairs.”
http://politicker.com/2014/03/rangel-surrogates-target-espaillats-re-election-plans/