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Keith Powers (politician)

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Keith Powers
Majority Leader of the New York City Council
In office
January 5, 2022 – January 3, 2024
SpeakerAdrienne Adams
Preceded byLaurie Cumbo
Succeeded byAmanda Farías
Member of the New York City Council
from the 4th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2018
Preceded byDaniel Garodnick
Personal details
Born (1983-11-16) November 16, 1983 (age 40)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Dayton (BA)
City University of New York (MA)
WebsiteCampaign website
Official website

Keith Powers (born November 16, 1983) is an American politician, Democrat, and council member for the 4th district of the New York City Council. He succeeded former council member Daniel Garodnick in 2018, and was appointed Majority Leader in 2022. On January 3, 2024, Amanda Farias replaced Keith Powers as Majority Leader of the New York City Council. [1][2]

The district includes the Upper East Side, Central Park South, Grand Central Terminal, Tudor City, Waterside, Peter Cooper Village, Carnegie Hill, Stuyvesant Town, the United Nations as well as part of Yorkville and Turtle Bay in Manhattan.

Life and career

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Powers attended The Epiphany School and St. Francis Preparatory School, both Catholic schools.[3] He received his B.A. in political science from the University of Dayton in 2005 and his M.A. in political science from the City University of New York's Graduate Center in 2013.[4]

From November 2006 to January 2011, Powers served as the chief of staff for New York State Assembly member Johnathan Bing. He was the campaign manager for New York State Senator Liz Krueger during her 2006 campaign. Since January 2011 Powers has served as the chair of the Business Affairs Committee of Community Board 6. From January 2011 to the start of his campaign in April 2017, he was the vice president of Constantinople & Vallone Consulting, a government relations consulting firm.[4]

On September 12, 2017, he won the Democratic nomination for New York City Council District 4. He won the November 7 general election and took the place of Councilman Dan Garodnick on January 1, 2018.

In January 2019, he was ranked first (tied with Helen Rosenthal) as top lawmaker on New York City Council by City and State.[5]

In 2023, Powers withdrew from the NYC Progressive Caucus of the New York City Council.[6]

2025 Manhattan Borough President Race

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Following the decision by New York City Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine to open a campaign account for city comptroller, Powers announced that he would run to succeed Levine in the 2025 Democratic primary.[7][8]

Electoral history

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Powers won the Democratic primary for District 4 in 2017 with 40.83% of the vote. He went on to win the general election with 57.44% of the vote, against Republican Party candidate Rebecca Harary and Liberal Party candidate Rachel Honig.[2]

New York City Council: District 4
Election Candidate Party Votes Pct Candidate Party Votes Pct Candidate Party Votes Pct Candidate Party Votes Pct
2017 Primary Keith Powers Dem 4,456 40.83% Marti Speranza Dem 2,493 22.84% Rachel Honig Dem 948 8.69% Bessie Schachter Dem 918 8.41%
2017 General Keith Powers Dem 15,086 57.44% Rebecca Harary Rep 8,015 30.52% Rachel Honig Lib 3,137 11.94%

References

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  1. ^ Bautista, Christian Brazil (February 4, 2016). "Garodnick not running for mayor in 2017". Real Estate Weekly. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Keith Powers (New York)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "Biography". Keith Powers. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Powers, Keith. "Keith Powers". Linkedin. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  5. ^ i_beebe (January 26, 2020). "The Best & Worst New York City Lawmakers". City & State New York. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Coltin, Jeff (February 10, 2023). "Fifteen council members leave the Progressive Caucus". City & State New York. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  7. ^ Mena, Kelly (August 9, 2024). "Mark Levine officially sets sights on city comptroller race". NY1. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  8. ^ Mena, Kelly (August 13, 2024). "Councilmember Keith Powers announces bid for Manhattan borough president". NY1. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by Member of the New York City Council
from the 4th district

2018–present
Incumbent