Quirky politicians of Morningside and Harlem vie for support in loyal community

You’ll soon become familiar with the who’s-who of Columbia: those all-powerful administrators who make the big decisions that everyone loves to complain about. But outside the campus gates, there’s an entirely different set of movers and shakers, better known as the eccentric, dramatic, and sometimes corrupt politicians of Morningside Heights and West Harlem.

More likely than not, you’re already familiar with U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, whose face has graced the pages of newspapers for much of the summer. He’s been in quite a bit of hot water since July, when the House Ethics Committee charged him with 13 ethical violations. In mid-September, he will face a public trial before the committee.

Worried about being associated with Rangel as the midterm elections approach, Democrats in Congress have been clamoring for him to resign. He faces a crowded primary election on Sept. 13 against five other Democrats, all of whom have harped on his alleged ethics breaches during their campaigns.

But in spite of this vitriol, there’s one group that will almost certainly ensure Rangel isn’t going anywhere: his ardently loyal constituents. Just walk a couple blocks north of campus and you’ll see for yourself.

Rangel, who represents northern Manhattan, has been large and in charge of West Harlem since 1971. Strike up a conversation with any local, and it’s likely they’ll gush about Charlie. They’ll tell you he’s a force to be reckoned with, a politician who helped pull West Harlem out of the urban decay of decades past.

Over the last 40 years, he’s used his congressional seniority and powerful committee positions to pass legislation and bring vast amounts of federal money home for local educational programs, job-creation projects, and affordable housing, among many other things.

Still skeptical about how popular such an embattled congressman can be? Look no further than the numbers: Rangel is dominating the election polls with nearly double the support of the second-place candidate.

Even with all the achievements under his belt, you might be wondering why West Harlem residents would pull the lever for a politician who’s been widely decried as corrupt for months now.
Welcome to Harlem politics, where the power of incumbency reigns supreme.

This incumbent advantage has long been a trademark of Harlem. It’s a place where politicians rarely move through revolving doors. Instead, elected officials are long-serving and deeply entrenched in the community.

Take, for example, New York State Assembly member Keith Wright, who grew up in Harlem and has represented much of the neighborhood since 1992. Thanks to his father, who was a well connected judge, he grew up among the likes of Rangel, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, and the late Percy Sutton, one of Harlem’s most prominent politicians and activists. Wright is very popular among his constituents and is running unopposed this fall.

Then there’s State Senator Bill Perkins, who was elected just four years ago to represent West Harlem but has already become a fixture here. After coming under fire recently for his adamant stance against charter schools, he’s been given a run for his money by his only opponent, who just so happens to be an adjunct professor at Columbia: Basil Smikle, SIPA ’96. Still, the odds seem to be in Perkins’ favor, as he maintains a strong power base that consistently supports him at primary candidate events.

Fellow state senator and state attorney general hopeful Eric Schneiderman, whose district includes Morningside Heights, the Upper West Side, West Harlem, and Washington Heights, may be among the lesser-known names in the neighborhood, but it is right here where his career first took off: Morningside Heights was the first place where he brought prosecutions against drug dealers.

These names may not ring a bell now, but you need only wait until November to see these politicians take center stage in the Harlem arena. Then you’ll be able to observe the unique political dynamics of the neighborhood just outside the gates.