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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Candidates Attempt To Stand Out In Crowded Race To Replace Rangel

 Clyde Williams stands with the other candidates.
Clyde Williams stands with the other candidates.
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DNAinfo/Gustavo Solis

HARLEM — Clyde Williams is the first out of the gate.

The former senior aide to President Bill Clinton and former Democratic National Committee official will appear in the first paid television advertisement in the race to replace longtime U.S. Rep Charles Rangel representing the 13th Congressional District.

“In a wide­ open race like we are seeing, it is important to talk to as many voters as possible,” said Rakim Brooks, Williams' campaign manager.

“We are excited to hit the airwaves and connect to the broad range of diverse voters throughout the district. This greatly enhances our ability to reach constituents and spread our message.”

Williams’ campaign said the 30-second ad will air beginning June 16th. It will run on cable news channels CNN and MSNBC, as well as local news channel NY1.

This is Williams’ second attempt to win the seat. He ran against Rangel in 2012.

This is also one of many attempts by the candidates to stand out in the crowded field two weeks before the June 28 primary.

State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who also ran and lost in the 2012 congressional race and is making his third bid for the seat, has been rolling out what his campaign bills as a set of "specific policy proposals" on various issues.

He introduced a plan to reduce gun violence earlier this month and last week outlined one on reducing the costs of child care. He is expected to release more as the primary nears.

Other candidates have been campaigning across the district, which covers Harlem, Inwood, Marble Hill, Washington Heights, Morningside Heights, parts of the Upper West Side and the western Bronx, and racking up endorsements in order to sway voters, DNAinfo previously reported.

Williams, whose campaign has also released policy details, earned endorsements from Obama administration officials, including Bill Richardson, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and Pete Rouse, former White House Chief of Staff, and Melody Barnes, former Director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Manhattan Assemblyman Keith Wright, who was endorsed by Rangel, also landed the support of the New York State United Teachers, which represents more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care.

Last month, Wright also got an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Recently, The Amsterdam News endorsed Wright as well as a number of local organizations.

Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Suzan Johnson Cook got the backing of the African Women's Alliance of America Lucia McBath, national spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, actress and social activist Angela Bassett and a number of faith leaders in the district. 

Former State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV received an endorsement from Bronx Assemblyman Jose Rivera and several unions.

Stay-at-home father and first-time candidate Mike Gallagher and State Assemblyman Guillermo Linares did not immediately respond to questions about their endorsements.