State Sen. Adriano Espaillat all but declared victory in a crowded Democratic primary Tuesday night for the seat being vacated by legendary Congressman Charles Rangel.
Espaillat, in his third run for the seat, held an edge early Wednesday over his closest challenger, Keith Wright, a state assemblyman with longstanding ties to the Harlem establishment.
Seven other candidates vied for votes in the district, once a symbol of black culture and political power that has seen changing demographics and shifting district lines in recent years. Wright refused to concede, calling for close scrutiny of the vote.
Here's the latest vote count, according to the Associated Press:
Espaillat won in Washington Heights and the Bronx while Wright carried most precincts in Harlem.
Only four of the nine candidates (Espaillat, Wright, Clyde Williams, and Adam Clayton Powell) won at least one election district.
