By David Cruz

Election 2014 is still in the early stages, and with an unusual year in politics shaping in the Bronx, the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democrats held off on an early endorsement for candidates in the 13^th Congressional District held by longtime incumbent, Congressman Charles Rangel.

Members voted unanimously to postpone their endorsement during their Feb. 24 gathering shortly after Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, whose district falls within the political club, spoke in favor of delaying the vote.

“…I don’t think we should feel under the gun to decide tonight,” said Dinowitz, advising a packed house of members at their Kingsbridge headquarters.  “There may be other people considering to weigh in, elected officials or unions.  I’m not saying we have to be the last but we don’t always have to be the very first to make an endorsement.”

Members arrived to the meeting ready to support a candidate given the start of petitioning slated for March 4^th.  Last week, members officially backed Congressman Eliot Engel for the 16^th Congressional District, considering his re-election to be no contest.  But the 13^th Congressional race posed a different dynamic for members, who see their endorsement going

By holding off the vote, members can pore over the qualifications and strengths of each candidate in the 13^th Congressional District more extensively.  The District Rangel made his pitch to the public, citing his longtime experience in Congress as the main reason why he should retain his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I challenge anybody anywhere saying they could do a better job,” said Rangel, who arrived with his wife and Manhattan Councilman Inez Dickens to the forum.

Rangel mixed his liberal rhetoric with a touch of statesman-like experience that was largely missing from the two challengers. They include Reverend Michael Walrond Jr., a Harlem-based pastor with close ties to the National Action Network, and State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who ran a fierce race against Rangel during the 2012 Congressional Primary, only to lose by a slim margin.

All three spoke at the forum, peppered with questions on national issues such as immigration, healthcare and whether their candidacy best represents Riverdale.  They all spoke along party lines including Walrond, who deviates from social conservative views often linked to religious leaders.  When asked whether he is a supporter of gay rights and same-sex marriage, he said yes.

“If we begin to block the rights and access to the people in this country, we are undermining our own democracy,” said Walrond, delivering a sermon-like monologue in his opening remarks

It was Espaillat who won support from the club during the 13^th Congressional Primary in 2012, when Espaillat first took on Rangel.  Espaillat won Riverdale thanks to members of the active club, eventually winning the Bronx.  But Espaillat ultimately lost by just over 1000 votes, leaving plenty of political insiders to suspect Rangel’s strong support had waned over the years.  Shifting demographics in Harlem and redrawn Congressional lines jeopardized Rangel’s stronghold over the district in the previous race, perhaps compelling Espaillat to try again.

Though Rangel won, Riverdale locals criticized him for his lack of a district office.  Rangel blamed the sequestration for the lack of office, but promised to have one opened should he win the election.  Espaillat assured he would do the same.

But no assurances were made on whether Rangel, 83, would remain for his entire two-year term.  There were also no assurances on whether Espaillat would still hold onto his State Senate seat as a fallback should he lose the Congressional Primary.  Espaillat soon left shortly after presenting to members.

The club’s executive body will set a later date on when it will officially endorse a candidate.  But 81st Assembly District Leader Bruce Feld reminded members that it wasn’t until May 29^th, 2012 that members chose their candidate.

“As difficult to some extent as a number of people may find that decision, because both candidates, maybe all three it’s yet to develop with Waldron, have considerable appeal,” said Feld.