 In 2005 , Thompson began testing the waters for higher office . He raised campaign funds and consulted party leaders about the possibility of challenging United States House of Representatives then 76 @-@ year @-@ old congresswoman Louise Slaughter who was already a 10 @-@ term veteran . Slaughter 's New York 's 28th congressional district was 29 percent African American , and minorities comprised nearly 40 percent of the Democratic primary vote . Charles B. Rangel warned that Slaughter had strong ties to the Congressional Black Caucus as well as strong support from labor , women 's and pro @-@ choice groups . 
