Pastors and supporters, including former Governor David Paterson, pray for a shield of protection to surround Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright’s run to succeed Congressman Charles B. Rangel (NY-13/Bronx-Manhattan).
Last month, using the simple statement, “I am indeed, a candidate for Congress,” Harlem Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright kicked off his long anticipated bid to succeed the retiring Lion of Harlem, Rep. Charles B. Rangel. The venue for the campaign announcement was the basement hall of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the West Farms section of the Bronx.
Assemblyman Wright’s remarks were preceded by an introduction from Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, senior pastor at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, which was once pastored by maverick Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Rev. Butts opened by saying that Wright commands the respect and influence needed to follow in the footsteps of Powell and Rangel. He commended Wright’s “no nonsense” approach to politics.
Wright acknowledged that after nearly a quarter century in the State Assembly, he is now at a crossroad for new opportunity and a new chapter of service. He condemned the evils of racism, poverty, concentrated wealth and the reality that our education system fails too many children.
State Democratic party chairman and former New York Governor David A. Paterson closed the event with praise for Assemblyman Wright’s legislative record. Paterson cited Wright’s work to achieve economic justice for domestic workers and his fight for stronger tenant protections.
Rev. Frederick Crawford, Jr., who welcomed Wright to his church Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, said Wright was the right man to succeed Rep. Charles B. Rangel and legendary former congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Assemblyman Wright was joined by Rev. Carl L. Washington, Jr., Rev. Dr. Johnnie M. Green, Jr., Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, Rev. Frederick Crawford, Jr., Hazel Dukes, and his pal, Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry (D-Queens).
Other declared and undeclared candidates for the Harlem-Upper Manhattan-West Bronx congressional district include, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, Rev. Michael Waldron, Rev. Suzanne “Sujay” Johnson Cook and Vince Morgan. State Senator Bill Perkins name has surfaced in recent weeks. Wright and Espaillat are thought to be the main contenders. Conventional wisdom gives Senator Espaillat –who has run and lost twice before– the edge in a multi-candidate field without a strong incumbent.
The congressional primary for NY-13 will be in May 2016.
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