WASHINGTON — Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel is rolling out the big guns, announcing an endorsement from Sen. Charles Schumer in his bid for re-election to a 23rd term as he desperately tries to hang on to his seat for what he says is his final campaign.
In a fundraising email appeal being sent out by Rangel’s campaign, Schumer calls Rangel a “tenacious leader” and an “effective, progressive leader.”
Schumer says Rangel is the “clear choice,” then makes an appeal for campaign cash for Rangel’s campaign, which had just $211,000 in the bank at the start of the year.
In the email blast that is going out Tuesday, contributors will be asked to contribute between $10 and $2,600 — the maximum they can give in a primary.
But plenty of other party bigwigs are drifting away.
Rangel, 83, is facing a tough challenge from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who has been wrapping up critical endorsements of his own that reflect the changing nature of the district.
He recently won the backing of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, along with Brooklyn Assemblyman Karim Camara. Rangel beat Espaillat in 2012 by about 1,000 votes. He’s also being challenged by the Rev. Michael Walrond.
Last week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand endorsed Rangel, who was censured by the House in 2010 over ethics violations.