Powell vs. Rangel, Part Two (Or Three, Depending On How You're Keeping Score)

Fresh off a mostly acquittal for drunk driving, New York State Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV has announced that he will challenge Rep. Charlie Rangel in the upcoming Democratic primary. Rangel, who has had some problems of his own, won his seat in 1970, defeating the incumbent Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who is IV’s dad. Here’s your fun fact for the day:

Powell and his third wife, Puerto Rican Yvette Diago Powell, had a son Adam Clayton Powell Diago, so named in the matrilineal tradition of some Latino cultures. This son changed his name to Adam Clayton Powell IV when he moved to the United States from Puerto Rico to attend Howard University to honor his family legacy. (This caused confusion because his nephew, only 8 years younger than he, already was named Adam Clayton Powell IV.)

Powell IV previously challenged Rangel in 1994 and got pasted. We’ll see if things are different now.