Why 2014 might be different for Espaillat-Rangel/Espaillat race.
Azi Paybarah
In his final congressional race, Rep. Charlie Rangel has joked and danced and generally looked a lot better than he did in 2012, when a back injury curtailed his ability to campaign in a newly redrawn district and he nearly succumbed to a primary challenge from State Senator Adriano Espaillat.
Yesterday, a Siena poll appeared to validate Rangel's efforts, showing a widening lead over Espaillat, his closest challenger. (The Espaillat campaign responded by engaging Siena in a debate about its polling track record and methodology.)
But, with just four days until Tuesday's primary, there are plenty of reasons for Espaillat to think this years race is looking a lot better for him, too.
Espaillat lost to Rangel by just 1,086 votes in 2012, and, Siena poll notwithstanding, several key factors appear to have shifted in his favor this year.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/06/8547572/why-2014-might-be-different-espaillat