Lucas,
The Daily News recently profiled Congressman Rangel's re-election campaign. It's not going to be easy but we're ready to win.
Check out an excerpt below:
Rep. Charles Rangel gears up for his toughest reelection fight of his career
Rep. Charles Rangel says this is one primary he's not taking for granted.
Rep. Charles Rangel acknowledges that he's in uncharted territory.
"I've never had to go through this before," he said, sitting in his fund-raising office in Harlem earlier this week.
It is a once-unthinkable predicament for Rangel, first elected in 1970 and arguably once the most powerful African-American elected official in the country.
He says he's not letting it get to him. "Worry is a rough word to use with me," Rangel said, sipping a bodega coffee and looking dapper in his signature bow tie. "I'm too old to be worried."
But Rangel acknowledges that this is one election he is not taking for granted.
Rangel said he feels more prepared, physically and mentally, for a win than he did in 2012. He has dropped 35 pounds, recovered from a staph infection he contracted in the hospital and says he's never felt so healthy.
He's willing to fight harder, he said, in part because his seniority gives him more clout in Washington to help President Obama fight the Tea Party.
He also said the people of Harlem still want him in office.
"If you want to walk the streets with me, it's embarrassing," he said. "Anyone who dislikes me, they don't come up and tell me, 'I don't like you, drop dead.' People who do come up say, 'I'm glad you're running again, I've always supported you.'"
Rangel backers say potential contenders should bow to the power of a legend and wait their turn.
"The man is 83 years old," said Adam Clayton Powell IV, who challenged Rangel in 2010. "Let him leave in peace. After he retires, I'll be looking at that. I'm interested in his seat. For now, it's his last term."
Thank you,
Rangel for Congress
