Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV might not be generating much in the way of institutional backing in his quest to oust veteran Harlem Rep. Charlie Rangel from his father’s old seat, but he does enjoy some modest support from his Albany colleagues.

acpfundraiser

Seven of Powell’s fellow Assembly members have signed up to host a fundraiser for him at Sofrito tomorrow night.

The list includes Peter Rivera, who told me recently that he planned to stick with Powell – at least for now – despite the fact that he had received a personal call from Rangel (not returned at the moment I chatted with Rivera).

Also on Team Powell is Assemblyman Jose Rivera (an ally of, but not related to, Peter Rivera), the former Bronx Democratic chairman; and his daughter, Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera.

Oddly, Assemblyman Nelson Castro’s name also appears on the invite, which is funny, because he insisted recently that he had NOT endorsed Powell.

Castro, a former aide to Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, owes his seat to Jose Rivera, who did a quick-change maneuver that benefitted Castro at the expense of District Leader Hector Ramirez back in 2008 when former Assemblyman Luis Diaz departed to join the Paterson administration. (He has since left that post, too).

Now Ramirez is mounting a challenge to Castro, who would very much like the support of the Bronx County organization.

Rangel is not Heastie’s concern since his district is in Manhattan, not the Bronx. But it seems odd for someone like Castro, who is seeking institutional support, to show any support at all for a non-institutional insurgent like Powell.

UPDATE: Azi Paybarah reports the owner of Sofrito got a call from someone purporting to be from “Rangel’s office,” which Powell sees as a form of intimidation, although the owner doesn’t seem to consider it as such.

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