The union representing 10,000 painters and other tradesmen wants to remove veteran Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel from office and brush in state Sen. Adriano Espaillat as the next congressman, The Post has learned.
District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades voted to endorse Espaillat in the June 24 Democratic primary for the House seat that takes in northern Manhattan and parts of The Bronx.
“It’s time for a change,” said District 9 political director Jack Kittle.
Kittle said he backed Espaillat because he believes the senator will be a stronger ally than Rangel in championing prevailing wage laws for construction trade workers.
Rangel, 83, is seeking a 23rd term in his rematch against Espaillat, who nearly upset the incumbent two years ago.
Espaillat has cut into some of Rangel’s institutional support this time around.
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who represents East Harlem ,and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. , are backing Espaillat after supporting Rangel two years ago.
But others powerful Democratic players are sticking with Rangel, most notably Bill Clinton and the American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees.