As the 2010 congressional races heat up, longtime U.S. Representative of Harlem Charlie Rangel no longer seems invincible.
During his 38 years representing northern Manhattan in Congress, Rangel has established himself as a political juggernaut in the streets of Harlem, within the state Democratic Party, and in Washington’s corridors of power. Rangel—the fourth-longest-serving current congressman—wields considerable authority as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the nation’s tax code and has figured prominently in the health care reform debate. He rarely faces serious electoral challenges from either party, and won re-election in 2008 with 89 percent of the vote.
But 2010 may not be as smooth a ride for the incumbent. Allegations of unethical behavior continue to swirl around the 79-year-old Democrat, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has had to rebuff numerous calls for Rangel’s dismissal as Ways and Means chairman. Now, former Rangel staffer Vince Morgan and State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV are threatening to run against him for the Democratic nomination.
These two young, well-known local Democrats point to allegations that Rangel abused his influence to secure donations for a public service institute at City College of New York named in his honor, as well as misreported income from a Dominican Republic beach house rented out to tourists, and occupied rent-controlled apartments at below-market rates. But they are also focusing on the poor local economy as city unemployment remains above 10 percent, and are calling for a new development agenda.
Powell, 47, who represents East Harlem in the State Assembly, said he is not convinced Rangel will stand for re-election in 2010.
“I am not sure Rangel will run in November, because of all the ethical problems,” said Powell, who has not officially declared his candidacy but has expressed interest in the seat. “This is speculation, but it’s well-founded. Rangel could become a poster child for Republicans all around the nation. Democrats will come to terms with the idea that he is a liability. He could run for Congress, but I’m not sure he would be chairman of Ways and Means.”
According to the Rangel campaign, the congressman will absolutely run for re-election. “That is not in question,” a campaign spokesperson wrote in an e-mail.
Morgan, a 40-year-old community banking executive at TD Bank who graduated from SIPA in 2006 with a public administration degree, takes a slightly different approach.
“I am in no position to judge his ethical standing. This is up to the House Ethics Committee,” Morgan said. “My opinion is that elected officials should be held up to the highest standard. I will endeavor to live up to that standard which the people expect. I don’t have the facts. I’m going to run a campaign about the future and the people of the district, focusing on issues affecting people’s lives.”
When it comes to the foremost topic of debate in Washington today, all three men share relatively similar positions. Rangel was instrumental in getting an expansive version of health care legislation through the House this month, complete with a public option. Powell and Morgan both praised Rangel’s leadership on the issue.
But despite Rangel’s role in the health care debate and the appropriations clout he wields, both Morgan and Powell say the district—which encompasses the Columbia campus, along with the rest of Morningside Heights—would be better served by new leadership.
“I would bring more affordable housing and fight for our fair share of revenues from Washington,” said Powell, who conceded that he could not compete with Rangel in terms of “bringing home the bacon.”
Morgan dismissed the idea, espoused by some Rangel supporters, that the district would be ill-served by a freshman with little ability to steer funds home.
“Whoever follows Rangel is going to go in with no seniority,” Morgan said. “Rangel is in the twilight of his career. ... It’s time to look forward and look at someone who won’t be chairman of Ways and Means. He will not be in Congress forever. We have to develop leadership.”
But regardless of the challengers’ credentials—Morgan has directed or served on the board of numerous prominent Harlem community organizations, while Powell is the son of the path-breaking, though scandal-tarred, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., whom Rangel beat in the 1970 Democratic primary—they are still waging an uphill fight against a firmly entrenched Harlem figure.
“Rangel will win, no doubt,” veteran New York Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf told Spectator. “Is he damaged? Yes, he is damaged. But the turnout in last election indicates no one’s heard of these scandals. Nancy Pelosi taking a stand against Rangel is not likely in this lifetime. You can’t remove the chair of your most important committee.”
Ultimately, Sheinkopf said, allegations will not be enough to derail the incumbent. “Rangel has not been indicted or arrested,” he said. “He will be there as long as the law allows him to be.”
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