By David Cruz, Brittney Williams and Imani Hall

History repeats itself.

For the second consecutive contest, the political landscape of the 13th Congressional District remains unchanged as Norwood woke up to learn Congressman Charles Rangel would remain the federal legislator representing the neighborhood following a nail biter of an election race against a resurfaced rival. 

In a late night clincher, Rangel once again defeated Espaillat by just over 2,000 votes, with at least 98.9 percent of precincts as of deadline. The contest was largely viewed as a litmus test on the whether changing demographics would alter the face of the 13th Congressional District, historically an African-American district. The district was split in two following redistricting, with 80 percent of the district falling in Manhattan and the rest falling in the northwest Bronx neighborhoods of Norwood, Riverdale and Bedford Park.

Early evening voting numbers showed Espaillat securing 66 percent of the vote to 31 percent for Rangel, with roughly 10 percent of voting precincts reporting. Other challenges, Rev. Michael Walrond and Yolanda Garcia, the only Bronx resident to run in the 13th Congressional District, secured single digit percentages. As midnight crept in, Rangel’s number gradually increased, through barely. Still, Rangel gained the upper hand following months of whether Rangel still had enough juice to squeeze in Washington D.C.

“I want each one of you all to go home to know that this was your victory,” said Rangel, flanked by supporters in Taino Towers in East Harlem. “You can rest assured all I will be doing is thinking about you and bringing resources home.”

Espaillat Remains Confident
A mile up the same borough, Espaillat appeared at the 809 Bar and Grill in the Inwood section of Manhattan, a changing neighborhood where many Dominican natives call home. Espaillat has drawn influence in that neighborhood and nearby Washington Heights given his Dominican roots. Had he been elected he would’ve been the first Dominican-born legislator in the U.S. House of Representatives. Outside the restaurant, Espaillat refused to concede, despite 98 percent of precincts reporting a victory for Rangel.

“We have reviewed the results as they continue to come in and we feel this race is too close to call,” said Espaillat, as supporters erupted in cheers. He added that areas like Bedford Park have not yet been counted.

But Espaillat’s popularity as a rising Latino legislator wasn’t enough to shatter Rangel’s political dynasty, who now secures a 23rd term in the House of Representatives.

The Needs of the Northwest Bronx
Regardless of the ethnic politics that have long been a running theme in the race, many Norwoodians closely following the match yearned for a legislator would treat the Bronx portion of the 13th Congressional District on the same level as Manhattan.

“Bronxites want to feel like they want to be represented by one of their own,” said Anthony Rivieccio, a Norwood resident and founder of the Northwest Bronx Democrats. The group spent the last several months campaigning on behalf of Espaillat.

Bob Kappstatter, former political columnist for The Bronx Times Reporter, predicted Rangel would win by five percentage points. Like Rivieccio, Kappstatter sensed Rangel’s availability in the Bronx rare, calling out Rangel’s lack of district office, which was blamed on a federal sequester.

“They just never feel his presence in the Bronx,” said Kappstatter, adding the congressional district divide often put Rangel in the middle of two changing boroughs. “How do you put one foot in one area of the Bronx while you have your other foot that’s still largely black while you still have a major poverty belt in the Bronx’s southern portion of the 13th District?

Correction: The newspaper version of this article erroneously shows Brittney Williams took the photograph of Rangel. It was Imani Hall.