Tag Archives: Keith L. T. Wright

Politics

Representative Charles B. Rangel’s decision to relinquish the coveted chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee has raised a once-unthinkable possibility: that after 39 years in Congress, he will not seek re-election this year.

Even as Mr. Rangel insisted on Wednesday that he would run, a person who has spoken with the congressman about his political future over the past few days said that if he did not regain control of the committee, an unlikely prospect in a tough election year for Congressional Democrats, he would consider dropping out of the race.

“He would have to take a really hard look at the race,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so as not to offend Mr. Rangel by discussing a private conversation.

In an interview, Mr. Rangel rejected the speculation and said, “There is no way that I can foresee anything that would stop me from running for re-election.” Continue reading →