Bronx office for Rangel? Not likely

Since Rep. Charles Rangel’s district was expanded to include a wide stretch of the Bronx in 2013, critics have chastised the congressman for failing to open a district office on this side of the East Harlem River.

Mr. Rangel has previously suggested that he would open the office if he had the funds. But it looks like voters here will have to wait for his successor to be able to conveniently access constituent services.

During a phone interview, Mr. Rangel did not directly answer whether he will open an office. Whenever asked about the matter, he simply said he is always accessible.

Asked about a December 2013 interview with The Press, in which he said he was working to share space with other legislators or open a satellite office in the Bronx, the congressman simply said he has never shared space with other elected officials.

He insisted the lack of a Bronx office has not made him unreachable by his constituents in Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, Van Cortlandt Village, Bedford Park and Norwood.

“I go there all the time,” he said of the Bronx.

Since staving off a serious Democratic primary challenge from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat last fall, Mr. Rangel has logged several appearances in the Bronx. He came to this borough for a street renaming ceremony in honor of the Bronx High School of Science in May and for a constituent service day at Bronx Library Center in April. This summer included face time at the Tracey Towers Family Day event and a visit to the Bronx Zoo.

During the phone interview, he said he has participated in town hall meetings elsewhere in the borough.

At least five politicians are already eyeing the 13th congressional district, according to news reports. The rivals include Harlem-based Rev. Suzanne Johnson Cook, Harlem state Sen. Bill Perkins, East Harlem and South Bronx Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez and Harlem Assemblyman Keith Wright.
Mr. Espaillat, who is considered likely to run again, repeatedly promised to open a Bronx office during his two challenges against Mr. Rangel. The senator’s office did not make him available for an interview for this article.