Williams joins a
crowded field that
already includes Assemblyman Keith Wright, a longtime friend and ally
of Rangel; State Senator Bill Perkins, whose district covers a significant portion
of the congressional district; and likely
candidates like State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who narrowly lost to Rangel in two close elections; Rev. Michael Walrond, a popular pastor with ties to Rev. Al Sharpton and Mayor Bill de Blasio; SuZan «Sujay» Johnson, the only woman in the race; and Adam Clayton Powell, IV, the former Council and Assembly member who is also the son
of the legendary congressman whom Rangel deposed in 1970.
Ratigan, 45, who previously hosted shows on MSNBC and CNBC and worked as an executive for Bloomberg News, is joining a
crowded field of nine other
candidates already vying for the district's Democratic nomination to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.