Rep. Charlie Rangel, who represents Upper Manhattan and the western fringe of the Bronx in New York City, does not have the support of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Both men are Democrats, but de Blasio has opted not to stand behind Rangel in his bid for re-election this November, the
New York Observer reports. Rangel must first get through the Democratic primary on June 24, and he was hoping de Blasio would lend his support to his campaign.
Rangel has served in the House since 1971 and currently represents the state's 13th district.
He has said he would retire after his next term if elected.
Last month, Rangel was asked if the mayor would support him and he was unsure, even after the two met at a lunch.
"I don't know. I have no idea. None, absolutely none. He wouldn't say,"
Rangel told Politico at the time. "Ninety percent of our discussion was philosophical. We didn't talk about my campaign."
New York State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, 59, is running against the 83-year-old Rangel and the primary is expected to be tight. Rangel narrowly beat Espaillat by less than 1,100 votes in the 2012 primary. A
poll last month showed Rangel with a 41-32 percent lead.
Rangel was criticized over the weekend for taking out an iPad during a live debate to do research. The moderator scolded him for the move, and Rangel put the device away.
Rangel also pulled a stunt during a debate last month when he pretended to make a phone call.
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