Rep. Charles Rangel fends off primary challenge

Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) speaks during a House Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) Committee. PHOTO/Reuters

New York Rep. Charles Rangel has won a primary in his bid for a 22nd term in Congress, defeating Adriano Espaillat and three other competitors despite a recent ethics scandal.

Rangel, 82, won his seat in the House of Representatives in 1970 and won re-election every two years since then. He rose to be chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and was known to deliver for his constituents.

With more than half the vote in, Rangel held a double-digit lead.

This year was complicated by changing demographics in a redrawn district, strong challengers and lingering clouds from the ethics scandal ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

Because Democrats greatly outnumber Republicans in the city, Rangel is expected to win the general election in November.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press