WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — The race for congress is on.
Candidates vying to represent the 13th Congressional District, replacing Rep. Charles Rangel, faced off on Sunday afternoon in the first debate before the June 28 primary — discussing hot-button issues including the mayor's rezoning plan, income inequality, immigration and education.
Just before the debate began, front-runner State Sen. Bill Perkins made a surprise announcement in an email to organizers, saying he would be dropping out of the race and run for reelection instead.
Last month, five of the candidates met with constituents and shared their thoughts on some of the most important issues facing New York's 13th district, which covers Harlem, Inwood, Marble Hill, Washington Heights, Morningside Heights and parts of the Upper West Side and western Bronx.
DNAinfo New York live tweeted Sunday's forum, held in the Alianza Dominican Cultural Center on West 16th Street:
