Rangel, challengers spar at NY primary debate

NEW YORK (AP) — A debate Wednesday night between Rep. Charles Rangel and two candidates looking to replace him in Washington largely stayed away from the issues of racial divides and ethnic campaigning that had been the flashpoint of a previous meeting, but had several moments of contention as the three men sparred over their qualifications to represent New York’s 13th Congressional District.

Rangel, who turned 84 on Wednesday, faced state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who would be the first Dominican-born member of Congress if elected, and Harlem minister Michael Walrond at the debate at Lehman College in the Bronx. The event was put on by Time Warner Cable News NY1 and NY1 Noticias.