The Sharpton Question

From today's Heard Around Town: * With two congressional primaries taking place this year in two historically black New York City neighborhoods, many are asking, wither Rev. Al Sharpton? Will he endorse in the NY-13 race in Harlem or the NY-08 in Bed-Stuy? Some sources speculate that Sharpton could endorse Charles Barron, whose campaign is in need of a boost after Rep. Edolphus Towns dropped out, making it a two-way race between Barron and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries. But one knowledgeable source said Sharpton was unlikely to get involved, given the political dynamics at play. "The old school Sharpton voter is already a Barron voter," the source said. "By endorsing Barron, Sharpton may alienate the new school Sharpton voters who recognize that Sharpton has grown. Sharpton has built on his legacy and his universality. An endorsement of Barron would set that image back." And even though his National Action Network is based in Harlem, the source predicted that Sharpton could well sit out the NY-13 race as well. "He has friends on all sides," said the source, who added that Sharpton, at the very least, wouldn't endorse Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat over Rep. Charlie Rangel. A spokeswoman for Sharpton declined comment. To read more from City & State [click here](http://www.cityandstateny.com).