Harlem soon could have first Dominican-American in Congress

NEW YORK -- In an election year filled with debate over immigration, Adriano Espaillat hopes his personal story makes its own statement.

After living at one point in the country without documentation, he could become the first Dominican-American in Congress.

After winning the Democratic primary in a strongly Democratic district that includes Harlem and parts of the Bronx, Espaillat is favored in November's general election to succeed long-serving Rep. Charles Rangel, who is retiring.

It would break new ground for the historically black district, which includes Harlem and has been represented by only two African-Americans, Rangel and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. before him, for more than 70 years even as Hispanics have been the majority in the district for at least the past several years.

As an immigrant, Espaillat sees his rise as a "strong message against the intolerance that's being spewed by the Trumps of the world." He was especially looking forward to seeing how his story could resonate in Congress, especially among those opposed to immigration reform.

"How will they feel knowing that I have the same vote as they have on the floor of Congress?" he said. "I would love to see what the reaction is."

Espaillat, a 61-year-old state senator whose resume also includes the state Assembly and years spent in community work, has come a long way from his introduction to the U.S. as a 9-year-old on vacation in 1964.