New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) has endorsed Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) – giving the longtime congressman a high-profile boost in his difficult reelection bid.

“I’m proud to join with [former Democratic New York Mayor] Ed Koch and so many others in endorsing Charlie Rangel,” Bloomberg said in a statement released by Rangel’s campaign.

“For more than four decades, he has delivered for New York City time and time again. We’ve had six very different mayors during his tenure in Congress, but we all shared one thing in common: When the city needs results in Washington, you pick up the phone and call Congressman Rangel.”
Koch, for his part, cited Rangel’s military service and said he had been a champion for New York’s interests on Capitol Hill.

“I have worked with Charlie Rangel since 1963,” Koch said in the statement. “He served the country heroically in the Korean War and he has served New York City very well in Congress. He needs our help, let’s do it!”

Rangel, who was first elected in 1970, is facing a tough primary challenge in New York’s 15th Congressional District from New York state Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D).

So far, the two biggest Democratic surrogates have stayed out of the race.

President Clinton, who lives in the district and backed Rangel during his competitive 2010 primary, has remained on the sidelines because one of Rangel’s other rivals was a former top aide at the Clinton foundation.

President Obama has been notably silent. He praised Rangel but didn’t endorse him at a New York City fundraiser about a month ago. When asked in early May if Obama supported Rangel’s reelection, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters: “I’ll have to get back to you on that.”

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