Espaillat concedes to Rangel for second time

The fight for the 13th Congressional district is over, again.

After days of legal battles and a recount and other issues, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat conceded Monday U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel in the Democratic Primary.

Espaillat, 57, initially accepted the city's Board of Elections' declaration that the "Harlem Lion" won the June 26th race, but rescinded it when Rangel's lead was cut to 800 after more votes were counted.

The BOE counted more than 2,000 absentee ballots over the weekend and found that Rangel won with a 987-vote lead.

"It is clear that we have fallen just a little bit short," he said in a statement.

Rangel, 82, who will not be facing a Republican challenger, did not comment about the concession. He faced tough competition for his 22nd House term not only because it was the first election since he was censured in the House, but also because redistricting changed his district to include the South Bronx.

Espaillat said he would be dropping his lawsuit against the BOE that contending that it mishandled the primary.

Espaillat added that he was unsure if he will enter the fall Democratic primary for his state senate seat, which already has two candidates. Petitions to get on the ballot are due on Thursday.