Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV yesterday threw his hat in the ring to recapture the seat that Rep. Charles Rangel won from his father decades ago — and also charged that the Harlem Democrat secretly plans to resign immediately if re-elected so he can influence who will be his successor.
Calling such a move “outrageous to say the least,” Powell said, “The fact is the congressman, despite his long legacy and good service . . . word is in political circles that he doesn’t want to serve another two years in Congress.”
Kevin Wardally, a Rangel adviser who watched the announcement at 116th Street and Lexington Avenue, denied the speculation, saying Rangel “intends to run” and serve his term.
Rangel is the subject of several ethics investigations.
Powell also brushed aside questions about his own problems with the law, suggesting he was basically set up in a drunken-driving arrest in 2008, for which he was recently convicted for driving while impaired. He said police video proved he wasn’t drunk.