Rangel Ethics Charges May Alter Primary Contest With Adam Clayton Powell IV

(July 22) -- Word that Democrat Charlie Rangel will face a trial in the House of Representatives on charges of ethics violations may spell trouble for the veteran New York congressman in his primary contest against New York State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV.

Rangel, who defeated Powell's famous father, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., in the 1970 Democratic primary, had been expected to win the Sept. 14 contest to become the party nominee. But a poll taken less than a week before today's announcement by the House shows that support among Democrats may be shifting to Powell.

According to Public Policy Polling, 39 percent of those surveyed said they would vote for Rangel in the primary, while 21 percent said they'd vote for Powell. Perhaps more worrisome than the rather tepid showing for the incumbent, however, is the finding that 24 percent of voters remain undecided. A high-publicity trial in the House may not do much to sway those voters toward Rangel.

On the other hand, Powell has not exactly taken advantage of Rangel's latest headache. Hours after the House panel concluded that Rangel had probably violated several ethics rules, Powell still had not released a statement to the press or on his campaign website.

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Ethics Trial May Affect Rangel's Chances in Primary With Adam Clayton Powell IV

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