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Adam Clayton Powell IV

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Adam Clayton Powell IV
Member of theNew York State Assembly
from the 68th district
In office
January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2010
Preceded byNelson Antonio Denis
Succeeded byRobert J. Rodriguez
Member of theNew York City Council
from the8thdistrict
In office
January 1, 1992 – December 31, 1997
Preceded byCarolyn Maloney
Succeeded byPhil Reed
Personal details
Born
Adam Clayton Powell Diago

July 1962 (age 61–62)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
SpouseAndrea Dial (divorced)
Alma materHoward University(BA)
Fordham University(JD)
ProfessionPolitician

Adam Clayton "A.C." Powell IV(bornAdam Clayton Powell Diago;[1]in 1962) is an American politician from the state ofNew York.He was a member of theNew York State Assemblyfrom 2001 to 2010. From 1992 to 1997, he served as New York City Council Member representingEast Harlemand parts of theUpper West Sideand theSouth Bronx.Beginning in 2001, Powell represented the 68th Assembly District, which includes parts ofHarlemand East Harlem.[2]He was defeated byCharles Rangelin the 2010 Democratic Primary for the seat of the 15th Congressional District.[3]

Early years[edit]

Powell was born tocivil rightsleader and formercongressmanAdam Clayton Powell Jr.and his third wife Yvette Diago inSan Juan, Puerto Rico.[1]He was named Adam Clayton Powell Diago, as is the Spanish naming custom of using the mother's surname as part of his official name.[1]Powell's maternal grandfather Gonzalo Diago was a mayor ofSan Juan, Puerto Ricoand served as such from 1941 to 1945.[4]When his parents separated, Powell's mother was granted custody, and he was raised and educated in Puerto Rico.

In 1980, Powell moved to the mainland United States to study atHoward Universityin Washington, D.C.. He changed his surname by dropping his mother's surname "Diago". He then continued to use the name Adam Clayton Powell IV. This has caused confusion as his half-nephew, 8 years younger than he, was also named Adam Clayton Powell IV. He later earned aJuris Doctordegree fromFordham University School of Lawin New York.[5]

Political career[edit]

Powell ran successfully for theNew York City Councilin 1991.[6]

Powell actually lost the Democratic primary vote by 34 votes to William (Bill) Del Toro in a seven-person field. Del Toro and his brother Assemblyman Angelo Del Toro, were powerful players in East Harlem politics for two decades with Angelo as a powerful Assembly committee chairman. Powell sued for a new election. His Campaign Manager Geoffrey L. Garfield, spent a month at the Board of Elections combing through every registered voter card ( “buff card” ) to ascertain whether non-Democrats voted in the primary. They found over 1,000 voters whom did not properly check the “party affiliation” box on the form. Del Toro sued to stop the effort by declaring “defective service” of legal documents to Del Toro’s home. Powell was successful in a hearing with an Elections Department Referee; on appeal the lower Supreme Court reversed the decision. Powell appealed to the state’s Appellate division where a five-judge panel ruled in Powell’s favor and mandated a Special Election the following week. Powell won 73-27 percent of the vote. (Source: Geoffrey L. Garfield, Campaign Manager) In 1994, Powell challenged RepresentativeCharles B. Rangelfor his seat in theUnited States House of Representatives,but lost.[2]In 1997, he ran forManhattanborough president, but lost toC. Virginia Fields.[7]

Powell worked for theFederal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA).[when?]In 2001, he participated and was arrested in theVieques protests,which demanded the departure of theU.S. Navyfrom that island.

When Rangel retired in 2016, Powell ran again for the House seat. He lost to state SenatorAdriano Espaillat.[8]

Family life[edit]

Powell married Andrea Dial, a formerEbonyfashion fair model. They had a son, Adam Clayton Powell V, before divorcing in the mid-1990s.[5]

Powell was a Co-Producer of “Keep the Faith, Baby!”, a Showtime/Paramount Television feature film on the life and career of his father Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

Controversies[edit]

Fundraising[edit]

When Powell ran for Congress in 1994, he raised $64,000, 10% of which came from residents of his state,[9][10]while the remainder were donated by contributors from Miami and New Jersey, including $5000 from Free Cuba PAC, Inc.,[11][12]headed by leading Cuban-exile community figureJorge Mas Canosawho made a $1000 personal donation to Powell.[13]

Campaign funds[edit]

Powell spent $1,200 of his campaign funds traveling to Ireland.[14][15]Powell said he accompanied several lawmakers on the Ireland trip, which was sponsored by the New York American-Irish Legislators Society as a means to raise awareness of the issues that affect the Irish community.[14][15]

Vehicular charges[edit]

In 2008, Powell was arrested and charged for allegedlydriving while intoxicated(DWI) on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City.[16][17][18]He wasacquittedof driving while intoxicated and found guilty of the lesser charge of driving while impaired. This charge is considered atraffic violationrather than a criminal conviction. One juror commented, "the whole thing is we didn't think he was drunk."[19]

Congressional race, 2010[edit]

See also:United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2010

Powell lost toCharles Rangelin the 2010 primary for the15th district.[20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcCITY ROOM; If Your Name Is Powell, Take a Number.Andy Newman. The New York Times. April 14, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  2. ^abSabrina Tavernise, "No Charges for Legislator in Allegation of Sex Assault,"New York Times,October 8, 2006, found atNew York Times archives.Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  3. ^"Rangel Defeats Powell in Harlem Grudge Match".ABC News.RetrievedJune 22,2023.
  4. ^"Municipios – Acerca de San Juan".Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedMarch 31,2023.
  5. ^ab"Ebony".RetrievedMarch 31,2023.
  6. ^Mckinley, James C. (October 28, 1991)."In Harlem Race, Big Name vs. Political Clan".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  7. ^Charlie Rangel’s Old-New Challenger.Steve Kornacki. October 16, 2009. New York Observer.
  8. ^"Adam Clayton Powell IV launches bid for NY-13 Congressional seat his dad once held".NY Daily News. January 20, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 22,2015.
  9. ^"The Prodigal Son Returns".The Village voice. August 22, 2000.RetrievedJuly 21,2016.
  10. ^"Charles B. Rangel, Congressman".Afrocubaweb.com.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  11. ^"Rangel, Powell spar – New York Amsterdam News".Encyclopedia.com.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  12. ^"Article: 'Harlem not for sale!' clergy urge Candidate Adam Clayton Powell IV – New York Amsterdam News | HighBeam Research".Highbeam.com. August 20, 1994.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.[dead link]
  13. ^Antonio de la Cova."No Mas Canosa – the death of Cuban political figure Jorge Mas Canosa – Obituary".Latinamericanstudies.org.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  14. ^abGearty, Robert; Ross, Barbara; Lesser, Benjamin (September 6, 2009)."Too many loopholes: Campaign money goes for cars, spas & travel".New York: NY Daily News.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  15. ^abAlbany campaign spending
  16. ^Mfuni, Tanangachi; Schapiro, Rich (March 8, 2008)."Harlem pol Adam Clayton Powell 4th busted for DUI".New York: NY Daily News.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  17. ^Del, John (March 6, 2008)."Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell 4th Arrested for DUI".Gothamist. Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 17,2010.
  18. ^Hartocollis, Anemona; Moynihan, Colin (March 7, 2008)."Assemblyman Faces a Charge of Drunken Driving".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 8, 2016.RetrievedApril 23,2010.
  19. ^Italiano, Laura (March 25, 2010)."Adam Clayton Powell IV acquitted of DWI charge, found guilty of driving while impaired".TheNew York Post.Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2010.RetrievedMarch 25,2010.
  20. ^Kane, Paul (September 15, 2010)."Despite ethics cloud, Rangel easily wins primary".Washington Post.RetrievedSeptember 15,2010.

External links[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by New York City Council,8th district
1992–1997 		Succeeded by
New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly, 68th District
2001–2010 		Succeeded by
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