Parents Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Profession Politician Spouse Andrea Dial | Name Adam Powell Party Democratic Party Role American Politician Succeeded by Robert J. Rodriguez | |
Alma mater Howard UniversityFordham University Similar People Adam Clayton Powell - Jr, Adam Clayton Powell III, Hazel Scott | ||
Who is adam clayton powell iv
Adam Clayton Powell IV (born Adam Clayton Powell Diago in 1962) is an American politician from the state of New York. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 2001 to 2010. From 1992–1997, he served as New York City Council Member representing East Harlem and parts of the Upper West Side and the South Bronx. Beginning in 2001, Powell represented the 68th Assembly District, which includes parts of Harlem and East Harlem. He was defeated by Charles Rangel in the 2010 Democratic Primary for the seat of the 15th Congressional District.
Contents
- Who is adam clayton powell iv
- Rangel Opponent Speaks Out on Controversial Past
- Early years
- Political career
- Family life
- Fundraising
- Campaign funds
- Vehicular charges
- Congressional race 2010
- References
Rangel Opponent Speaks Out on Controversial Past
Early years
Powell was born to civil rights leader and former congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and his third wife Yvette Diago in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 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. Powell's maternal grandfather Gonzalo Diago was a mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico and served as such from 1941 to 1945. 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 at Howard University in 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 a law degree from Fordham University in New York.
Political career
Powell ran successfully for the New York City Council in 1991. In 1994, Powell challenged Representative Charles B. Rangel for his seat in the United States House of Representatives, but lost. In 1997, he ran for Manhattan borough president, but lost to C. Virginia Fields.
Powell worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In 2001, he participated and was arrested in the Vieques protests, which demanded the departure of the U.S. Navy from that island.
After his election to the state legislature, Powell was credited with passing the law known as SCRIE (Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption), which exempts seniors from paying any rent increases.
With Rangel's retirement in 2016, Powell is running again for the House seat.
Family life
Powell married Andrea Dial, a former Ebony fashion fair model. They had a son, Adam Clayton Powell V, before divorcing in the mid-1990s.
Fundraising
When Powell ran for Congress in 1994, he raised $64,000, 10% of which came from residents of his state, while the remainder were donated by contributors from Miami and New Jersey, including $5000 from Free Cuba PAC, Inc., headed by leading Cuban-exile community figure Jorge Mas Canosa who made a $1000 personal donation to Powell.
Campaign funds
Powell spent $1,200 of his campaign funds traveling to Ireland. 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.
Vehicular charges
In 2008, Powell was arrested and charged for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI) on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City. He was acquitted of driving while intoxicated and found guilty of the lesser charge of driving while impaired. This charge is considered a traffic violation rather than a criminal conviction. One juror commented, "the whole thing is we didn't think he was drunk."
Congressional race, 2010
Powell lost to Charles Rangel in the 2010 primary for the 15th district.