Rep. Rangel will run for 22nd congressional term

Veteran Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel will run for his 22nd term to represent a redrawn congressional district covering most of upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.

Rangel, 81, has been recovering from a back injury, but in a statement late Tuesday announced his intention to run for re-election this year.

"Just as President Obama needs more time to get our country back on track, my job in Congress is not done," Rangel wrote.

Rangel was censured by the House in 2011 after he was found guilty of failing to pay taxes and fundraising misconduct.

He faces a tough primary battle if state Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan/Bronx) challenged him in the new district, which is majority Latino. Espaillat's campaign said it's collecting nominating signatures, but he hasn't officially declared his candidacy.