[UPDATE] Keith Wright Concedes in 13th Congressional District Primary, Adriano Espaillat Wins Nomination

UPDATE 6/30: New York Assemblyman has conceded in the race for the Democratic nomination for New York's 13th congressional district. Wright announced his decision during a joint press conference with retiring congressman Charles Rangle and State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who narrowly defeated Wright in Tuesday's primary election.

Espaillat posted to Twitter during the press conference.

During the press conference Wright stressed the importance of uniting after a closely contested and divisive election.

Tuesday's Article:

Harlem, NY — State Senator Adriano Espaillat looks poised to claim victory in a closely contested race for the Democratic nomination for New York's 13th Congressional District, a seat made vacant by the retirement of longtime representative Charles Rangel.

As of midnight, Espaillat led polls with 491 of 496 election districts counted. Espaillat captured 36.65 percent of the vote while Keith Wright managed 33.77 percent. Clyde Williams finished third with 10.86 percent, Adam Clayton Powell finished fourth with 6.20 percent and Guillermo Linares rounded out the top five with 5.48 percent.

These numbers reflect unofficial election results from the New York State Board of Elections. No official victor has been announced by the BOE.

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Both Espaillat and Wright spoke Tuesday night, but each reflected a different tone.

Espaillat's speech carried the weight of a victory declaration, as he congratulated voters on an historic vote.

"The voters of the 13th Congressional District made history tonight," Espaillat said to an approving crowd.

Espaillat went on to thank voters from the neighborhoods that compose New York's 13th Congressional District. Espaillat also thanked his challengers and stated he was confident that he would be declared the winner despite the closeness of the race.

But when Wright took the podium, no concession speech was made.

"Suffice it to say, this campaign ain't over," Wright said.

Wright added, "No candidate can declare victory tonight, not until every vote is counted."

Wright also hinted at campaign irregularities and voter suppression during his speech.

In New York City, known for its liberal leanings, the winner of the Democratic primary often steamrolls the Republican contender. The 13th Congressional District spans Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, part of the Upper East Side in Manhattan and the southern tip of the Bronx.

Nine candidates — Assemblyman Keith Wright, former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, Clinton adviser Suzan Johnson Cook, Mike Gallagher, State Senator Espaillat, Assemblyman Guillermo Linares, former political director at the Democratic National Convention Clyde Williams, Sam Sloan and Yohanny Caceres — ran to fill the vacant seat of Rangel, who is retiring after more than 40 years of service.

One Harlem resident, Katherine Williams, was glad to see Rangel go.

"It's a beautiful feeling, he needs to retire," said Williams, who is voting for Clyde Williams, "He stated he was doing stuff, but in reality he was just putting money in his pocket like the rest of the people."

Despite the historic election, turnout to the polls in Harlem, at least at P.S. 175, was underwhelming.

"It's been droobs and drabs all day. We expect to see a few more people come after work, but nothing like it was in April," said Gregory Draves, the polling site coordinator at P.S. 175. "The people who are here are the people who are informed, and that's because they are part of the party machine."

Draves predicted that turnout at other polling sites, specifically upper Manhattan, may have been better. But he doubted that the numbers would approach those for the presidential primary in April.

Even though turnout was slow in Harlem, candidates such as Cook were out on the street to meet potential voters.

"We've been circulating," Cook told Patch. "I was at my polling place at 6:30 this morning, and it was a good flow this morning. My neighbors have voted, and they were clearly wanting to get to the polls. And then we went to two other spots, and the spots we went to were flowing."

Then Cook gave her pitch to Harlem voters.

"I'm a daughter of this district, I'm a daughter of working families, I'm a working class family member and mother of two sons," Cook said. "I'm running because I care about this district. I've worked for two presidents of the United States, I've worked with Congress, I was appointed by Congress and the president, so I've got access, but I've also got the interest of my community and district in mind."

Read also: NYC's June 28 Primary Election for Dummies

Wright has been endorsed by prominent members of the Democratic party such as Rangel, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former NYC Mayor David Dinkins and State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Kim Parker of Harlem voted for Wright because of his work in the community.

"I'm a native of Harlem, so I'm familiar with him and what he's done here," Parker told Patch.

If Espaillat's name sounds familiar, it's probably because he narrowly lost to Rangel in the last Democratic primary.

The New York Daily News has endorsed Espaillat. The New York Times endorsed Williams.

Republican Tony Evans and Green Party candidate Daniel Vila Rivera are running unopposed in the primary.

Rangel, a Harlem native, was first elected to Congress in 1971 after defeating Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (the father of candidate Adam Clayton Powell IV). Once elected, Rangel made history by co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus and becoming the first African-American to chair the Ways and Means committee. He is currently serving his 23rd, and last, term.

[Photo: Rep. Charles Rangel via flickr]