New York Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, whose father was the previous incumbent, announced today that he will challenge embattled Congressman Charlie Rangel in the Democratic primary this Fall. Congressman Rangel, the former Chair of the powerful House Ways & Mean Committee, represents the New York Fifteenth Congressional District that includes Harlem.

More from the New York Times:

Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV announced on Monday that he would challenge Representative Charles B. Rangel in this fall’s Democratic primary, setting the stage for a deeply personal battle between two of Harlem’s biggest political names and oldest foes.

Mr. Powell’s entry into the race suggests that Mr. Rangel’s political troubles are reshaping the campaign for his seat, which was once considered untouchable. So far, he faces two declared opponents, and a growing list of would-be candidates who are exploring the race.

Mr. Powell, 47, acknowledged that the ethics probes swirling around Mr. Rangel, including an investigation into corporate-sponsored trips he went on, and the congressman’s decision to give up the chairmanship of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, had emboldened him to run.

“The fact that he is no longer chairman is significant,” Mr. Powell said. “If he were still chairman, I might not be running.”

Mr. Powell on Monday speculated that Mr. Rangel would seek re-election and then resign, in order to control the appointment of his successor, a situation that aides to Mr. Rangel immediately dismissed.

Mr. Powell, whose father lost his congressional seat to a young Mr. Rangel three decades ago, tried unsuccessfully to oust Mr. Rangel from the seat in 1994, losing by a wide margin.

Mr. Powell said he has raised about $65,000 for his campaign, far less than the roughly $500,000 Mr. Rangel has. But Mr. Rangel’s legal bills have eaten into his campaign budget, and show no signs of abetting.

During a press conference on Monday in Harlem, Mr. Powell said that avenging his father’s defeat is something “I have gotten out my system” and that he was running against Mr. Rangel this time because it was “time to turn the page” on his tenure in Congress.

Yesterday, the New York Daily News caught up with Congressman Rangel and asked him about the speculation that he may face a primary challenge. Here is that interview: