After the first three candidates gave vague answers about New York’s need for good transportation and the necessity that it get its fair share, Mr. Williams, who is running as a Washington, D.C. insider, was more specific.

He said he would fight to get on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, then go to the ranking Democrat to learn how the committee works and finally reach across the aisle to whoever heads the committee to work with them so that New York gets as much money back for what it puts in. 

There was hardly any mud thrown at the debate, though Mr. Schley accused Mr. Espaillat of voting to end rent stabilization, which Mr. Espaillat said was factually incorrect. We checked the vote and Mr. Espaillat voted to extend rent control.

Afterward, many Manhattan constituents said they were disappointed Mr. Rangel didn’t show, though a few said they still planned to vote for him. Others said they were impressed with Mr. Williams. Unlike Mr. Schley and Ms. Johnson, who have run for Congress before, and Mr. Espaillat, who is well known in upper Manhattan, Mr. Williams is a new face. 

One constituent, who asked not to be named, said she was not impressed by any of the challengers.

“No creative thinking here,” she said.

Keywords