A story of electoral beginnings for some Harlem politicians, and endings for others, will come full circle on Monday as two political generations converge.
State Assembly member Adam Clayton Powell IV, who represents parts of Central and East Harlem, will formally declare a primary challenge against Congressman Charles Rangel on Monday morning—marking what many consider an ironic course of events in Harlem politics. Four decades ago, Rangel unseated Powell IV’s father, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.—and now Powell is hoping to trump the very same man who beat his father.
“Harlem has a legacy of longevity in politics,” Powell said on Thursday. “My father helped to create this seat.” Powell, Jr. became the first black congressman from New York in 1944, and one of only two African-American congressmen at the time.
Powell IV, who has represented the 68th Assembly District since 2000, prior served as a New York City Council member representing East Harlem, parts of the Upper West Side, and the South Bronx from 1992 to 1997. During this time, he unsuccessfully ran against Rangel in an effort to regain the seat that his father had lost in 1970—a seat which he had held on to for nearly 30 years.
Despite Powell’s legislative experience, just how ready this up-and-coming politician is to challenge Rangel remains to be seen, some say. For 40 years, Rangel has represented the 15th congressional district of New York, amassing what many consider myriad legislative successes, as well as an ardently loyal constituency.
“I think the voters in his [Rangel’s] district showed Mr. Powell 16 years ago that he wasn’t the right person to serve them in the United States Congress, and I believe they’ll show him that again,” said Kevin Wardally, senior vice president for political and government affairs for Bill Lynch Associates—which is in charge of Rangel’s campaign. “Based on what Rangel has delivered to the people, the people in the district are going to reward him, and I believe anyone who runs against him is going to lose.”
But others say that a slew of ethical charges recently made against Rangel may preclude his chances of success, as these charges already forced him to relinquish his position as chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Among several allegations, Rangel was charged with failing to pay federal income taxes and unethically accepting gifts.
At the same time, Powell has dealt with his own recent run-in with the law—he was found guilty in late March of driving while impaired, a traffic violation that may leave him with a 90-day driver’s license suspension and a $300 fine.
In light of these allegations against both candidates, some say there is no clear frontrunner, and that Powell’s candidacy will lure others into the race as well.
“I think with Mr. Powell declaring his candidacy there will be some other folks who are enticed into entering the race,” said former Rangel staffer Vince Morgan, who will be running against Powell and Rangel in September and who was the first to officially declare his candidacy.
But according to Barnard Political Science Professor Kimberley Johnson, Rangel’s incumbency makes it all the more likely that voters will pull the lever in his favor—a fact which she said could necessitate more mobilization efforts on the part of his challengers.
“Rangel has the name recognition,” Johnson said. “I think for both of them [Powell and Morgan] it comes down to, can they get the votes out?”
COMMENTS
Comments will be moderated in accordance with our comment policy