Above: State Sen. Adriano Espaillat

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Adriano Espaillat, who was bidding to become the first Dominican-American member of the United States Congress, has lost in the Democratic primary to longtime Rep. Charles Rangel.

Espaillat had found support from sitting Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez, who called for Dominicans living in New York State’s 15th District to vote for him.

Rangel has represented New York in the House of Representatives since 1971.

Espaillat, is a member of New York’s State Senate.

In 1996, Espaillat was the first-ever Dominican-American elected to the New York State Assembly.