Maria Luisa Tucker, The Village Voice
- “I don’t have any opponents,” Congressman Charlie Rangel told a New York Times reporter earlier this month. “There is no one that doesn’t like me—no one.”
Charlie may have spoken too soon.
Craig Schley, an activist and former male model, found 5,580 people in the last month who want Rangel out of office and were willing to sign the petitions he needs to become an independent candidate for the congressman’s seat. He filed those petitions with the Federal Election Commission last week.
It’s a very long shot to unseat the Democratic stalwart, and an enormous leap for Schley, a former Rangel intern who has never run for any elected office. Though he stands little chance against the 38-year incumbent, his candidacy comes at a time of burgeoning discontent with Harlem’s political representation in general—and with Rangel in particular.
