Rangel Touts Experience While Opponent Argues He Doesn't Hold 'Sway' Anymore
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Redistricting has led to some competitive races ahead of Tuesday's primaries in New York City.
So candidates were hitting the streets Monday trying to make their pitch one last time.
One of those districts includes the newly-drawn 13th District that features Rep. Charles Rangel and state Sen. Adriano Espaillat and a Hispanic majority.
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The incumbent Rangel campaigned in the Norwood section of the Bronx touting his experience.
"If you have someone who has been on the case for 42 years and you believe he has the experience and the know-how, you keep him," Rangel said.
But in Washington Heights, Espaillat said the times and scandals have caught up with Rangel.
"The fact of the matter is that he doesn't have the sway or the influence that he used to have," Espaillat said. "We don't have the majority and he doesn't have the influence to get things done."
Rangel was convicted on a number of House ethics charges in 2010 and was censured by the House.
Many voters admitted they are faced with a tough choice.
"Well he's done pretty good for the community also," one man said of Espaillat. "Rangel, like I said, has been here forever."
The newly-drawn district has also factored into the race.
"I don't know that much about him -- I've had to read up on him," one woman said of Rangel.
"It's sad that we don't have a higher caliber of opponents against me," Rangel said.
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