By Jon Schuppe and Jeff Mays
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
HARLEM — An ebullient Rep. Charlie Rangel took to the stage Tuesday night and in a fiery speech declared victory in the Harlem congressional race.
"At this time in our history, President Obama needs people like me," said a defiant Rangel, who had 51 percent of the vote. "No matter what they say, I go back to Washington stronger than I've ever been."
Rangel, who will now embark on a 21st term, had counted on the loyalty of the Harlem community as he faces a public trial for allegedly failing to pay taxes on a vacation home in the Dominican Republic, keeping multiple rent-stabilized apartments and conducting improper fundraising, among other House ethics charges. He has denied wrongdoing
Rangel was backed up by supporters including Gov. David Paterson, former Mayor David Dinkins and former Manhattan DA Bob Morgenthau, who joined him at the campaign celebration at restaurant Uptown Grand, at West 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
"For all those times he stood for us, tonight we stand for him," the governor said.
The 15th Congressional District incumbent faced challenges from four opponents in Tuesday’s Democratic primary: State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, Joyce Johnson, Jonathan Tasini and Vincent Morgan. Powell was considered the top challenger, but he has not gotten much support from the community.
One longtime Harlem voter, walking from a voting booth on West 135th Street earlier in the day, said there was no comparison between Rangel and the rest of the field.
"All we have is Rangel," said the 83-year-old man, who gave only his initials, C.Y. "I vote for him because, for me, its the only thing to do."
Cliff Day, who rode his bicycle to the door of his polling place in the Lincoln Houses Tuesday morning, said now was the time to rally behind Rangel.
"I went for Rangel because they’re giving him tough breaks," Day said, hopping back on his bike and riding away. "He’s got ethics (allegations) against him, but other people do, too.
"That’s not going to stop us from voting for him."
Tirza Greer, 45, a physician who lives in Harlem, said she wasn't concerned about the ethics charges facing Rangel.
"The verdict on that is not in so it's hearsay at this point," said Greer. "Rangel is also going to be done soon so we should let him go with dignity. There's time for Powell."
Not everyone agreed. Alejandrina Jurado, 69, said she voted for one of Rangel's opponents. She wouldn't say which, and said it didn't matter. Her problem wasn't with Rangel personally but with Washington incumbents in general.
"I think its time for someone fresh to come in and see what happens," Jurado said.
One woman exiting a polling place on Mt. Morris Park said that she "voted for Joyce Johnson because she's a woman and we need change."
But in the race that pitted State Sen. Bill Perkins against political operative Basil Smikle, incumbent Perkins seemed to enjoy the same sort of support from the community that Rangel did.
Perkins claimed victory late Tuesday night. Outside of Paris Blues, a bar on 121st Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., he said his election shows that his constituents do not want him to be silent on certain issues, such as charter schools.
Perkins has been critical of charter schools and charter school proponents had filled his opponents' campaign coffers.
"The hedge fund millionaires lost and they do not dictate the outcome of an election by virtue of their money," Perkins said.
"The vote tonight tells me that even charter school parents support me. They are not of the belief that my voice should be silenced when it comes to wanting more transparency regarding charter schools," he added.
Sara Green, 72, a retired city worker, said she voted for Bill Perkins because of his record of service.
"Perkins has done a lot for the community...I want what's best for the community," said Green.
Kim McDonald, 43, a caseworker, said she was just more familiar with Perkins and his record.
"I've never heard of the other person," she said of Smikle.
In East Harlem, front-runner Robert Rodriguez, former chairman of Community Board 11, won the state assembly seat vacated by Powell with 36 percent of the vote. Rodriguez squeaked by former city firefighter John Ruiz, who took 29 percent of the vote.
One longtime Harlem politician who didn’t appear on a ballot Tuesday was Gov. David Paterson, who, facing his own ethical issues, chose not to run for the seat he inherited after the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Paterson sounded almost wistful after he left his polling station at P.S. 175.
With his father, Basil — another Harlem political legend — standing nearby, Paterson said he understood why voters were upset with their elected leaders. New York’a fiscal problems forced him to say no to many spending programs, which didn’t help his popularity.
"They say be careful what you wish for," Paterson said. "For my next life I’m going to wish to be a governor at a time of wealth."
