Politicker » Ruben Dario Vargas

Ruben Vargas’ Congressional Campaign Spontaneously Combusts

Hunter Walker — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:37:18 -0400

Ruben Dario Vargas (Photo: New York City Campaign Finance Board)

Sunday night, Ruben Dario Vargas, a community activist who has run multiple unsuccessful campaigns for public office, announced he'd be throwing his hat into the race for Congressman Charlie Rangel's seat and would be launching his campaign today at noon. However, Mr. Vargas' campaign ended almost as quickly as it began. At the event that was supposed to be the start of his campaign, Mr. Vargas instead announced he will be dropping out of the race he was in for less than 24 hours and giving his endorsement to another candidate, State Senator Adriano Espaillat.

Mr. Espaillat is vying to be the first member of Congress of Dominican descent. Without Mr. Vargas, he is the only Latino candidate running in the 13th district, which contains a largely Dominican Latino majority. Mr. Vargas said he chose to drop out because he believes it is more important for the Dominican community to unite and "make history.

"This election is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community," Mr. Vargas said. "With the stakes so high, I think it's important for the community to unite behind a candidate who can make help us make history, and that candidate is Senator Espaillat. While I've worked hard to get myself in a position to run, I'm ready to give all of my support to the candidate who can succeed in bringing fresh leadership to Congress this year."

Mr. Vargas' departure from the race leaves five candidates standing; Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Rangel, former DNC head Clyde Williams, businesswoman Joyce Johnson and former model Craig Schley.

Espaillat Raises $62,055 In Bid To Unseat Rangel

Hunter Walker — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:11:47 -0400

Adriano Espaillat (Photo: New York State Senate)

Adriano Espaillat has raised $62,055 so far in his beat to unseat veteran Congressman Charles Rangel according to his campaign committee's first quarterly report. While Mr. Espaillat's haul is hardly massive, the report only includes a few weeks of fundraising since he officially launched his campaign at the beginning of the month. Mr. Rangel also raised a similar amount for the quarter, $67,273, however he spent much of that time in and out of the hospital with what he and his staff have described as a back injury.

Though Mr. Espaillat was able to nearly match Mr. Rangel's fundraising total for the quarter, the congressman should be able to perform far better in the fundraising race now that he's out of the hospital and back on the campaign trail. As an incumbent, Mr. Rangel already had a substantial war chest and his latest contributions leave him with $226,306 on hand. Mr. Espaillat spent about $5,762 on the campaign so far and has just $56,292 on hand.

Mr. Espaillat is thought to be a particularly strong opponent for Mr. Rangel since he's vying to be the first congressman of Dominican descent in a district with a majority Latino population, but he's not the only challenger running for the seat. Former DNC head Clyde Williams, who is also running in the district, raked in just under $120,000 this quarter and has over $200,000 on hand. There are no reports from a new committee from businesswoman Joyce Johnson, but the report for her committee from her last run for the seat in 2010 shows it raised no money this quarter and has $1048.53 on hand along with $16,236 in debts. Former model Craig Schley and community activist Ruben Dario Vargas are also in the race for Mr. Rangel's district, but there quarterly reports have yet to be made public.

Ruben Vargas Joins Crowded Race For Rangel’s Seat

Hunter Walker — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:36:39 -0400

Ruben Dario Vargas (Photo: New York City Campaign Finance Board)

Ruben Dario Vargas, a self-described "Northern Manhattan community activist" who has run multiple unsuccessful campaigns for public office, is throwing his hat into the crowded campaign for the 13th congressional district, where Charlie Rangel is running for re-election. Based on his past performance running for the seat, Mr. Vargas is unlikely to be a major threat in the race, but his entry will strip State Senator Adriano Espaillat of his status as the only Latino candidate in a district with a majority Latino population.

In addition to Mr. Rangel and Mr. Espaillat, former DNC head Clyde Williams, businesswoman Joyce Johnson and former model Craig Schley are running for the Democratic nomination in the 13th district. Mr. Vargas plans to officially announce his campaign tomorrow at noon at Caridad Restaurant on Broadway and 145th Street. He unsuccessfully challenged Mr. Rangel for his seat in 2010 and has also run for Manhattan Borough President and the Council seat currently occupied by Ydanis Rodriguez. According to a profile from his 2009 Council run, Mr. Vargas is an Air Force veteran who has worked with the NYPD as an evidence and property specialist and has been involved with the International Chess Federation.

Mr. Vargas' press release about his announcement said he has received 1,600 signatures so far to get his name on the ballot for the upcoming Democratic primary. It also said he "secured 18% of the vote" the last time he ran against Mr. Rangel. Mr. Vargas actually received about five percent of the vote in the 2010 Democratic Primary. Mr. Rangel won that race with 51 percent of the vote.