Metro

Strapped Charlie wrangles $$

WASHINGTON — Rep. Charles Rangel’s re-election fund-raising effort suffered through an anemic first quarter, collecting just $67,301, according to his latest campaign-finance report.

The 81-year-old Harlem Democrat (right), who had not expected to be challenged in his race for a 22nd two-year term, recently sent an SOS to House colleagues.

That’s because state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who represents Washington Heights and Inwood, agreed to take on the old war horse in the June 26 primary.

Espaillat raised $62,055 in the quarter. Rangel has $226,306 in the bank, but Espaillat managed to get $1,000 from Senate Democratic Conference leader and Brooklyn state Sen. John Sampson — a campaign-contribution rainmaker.

So Rangel sent out a gentle reminder that he bankrolled party campaigns in 2006 and ’08, distributing millions of dollars.

“While the constituents of my district continue to stand by me, I must now turn to you, friend and colleague, for your support,” he wrote.

Metal Lathers Local 46 in New York and the Engineers Political Education Committee in Washington have each given him $2,500.

Also running is Clyde Williams, former aide to Presidents Obama and Clinton. So far, he’s raised $208,058.