Adam Clayton Powell IV is preparing another run for the Harlem congressional seat once held by his father and occupied for the past five decades by Rep. Charles Rangel.
Powell, 51, a former state assemblyman from East Harlem, filed papers with the Federal Election Commission for a 2014 run.
Powell said he would run only if Rangel retires.
“It’s no secret I want to run. I want to run if Charlie steps down,” he said.
Powell has a tortured history with Rangel. The 82-year-old congressman defeated Powell’s dad, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., New York’s first black representative to Washington, in 1970.
Powell IV challenged Rangel in 1994 and 2010, but was trounced both times. In the latter campaign, Powell accused Rangel of being “corrupt” before the congressman was censured by the House of Representatives for a slew of ethics violations.
Powell, a former state lawmaker, has his own baggage. He was convicted of driving while impaired and having an inappropriate relationship with a 19-year-old Assembly intern.
Last year, Powell endorsed Rangel, who survived a stiff Democratic primary challenge from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat.
Espaillat is expected to run again.
Rangel adviser Bill Lynch said the congressman hasn’t decided whether to seek re-election, but noted Rangel has been holding town-hall events in The Bronx.