Powell Passes on 2012 Race for Congress

Former congressional candidate Kevin Powell has announced he will not run a third time for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 against 15-term incumbent Edolphus Towns.

Powell, a Democrat, made two unsuccessful runs against Towns in 2008 and 2010 for the seat in the 10th District, which encompasses Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Heights, Brownsville, Canarsie, Clinton Hill, East New York and Ocean Hill, as well as parts of Fort Greene, Prospect Heights and Williamsburg.

Soon after his 2010 loss, Powell said he planned to run a third time. But in an email letter he sent yesterday to his supporters, he stated, “While I am still very much dedicated to the issues I raised in our campaigns, I will not be running for Congress or any other office in 2012.”

Powell said, after a long year of healing and self-reflection he found the experience of running a campaign life changing and that he has no regrets.

“We won in many other ways: by running clean and transparent campaigns; and by providing an alternative to the entrenched old guard leadership that has come to dominate not just Brooklyn, but American politics and communities in general.”

Powell said he plans to focus his attention on his a new initiative he’s calling BK Nation ("BK" stands for building knowledge), a Brooklyn-based  think-tank of sorts he describes as a bridge to information, resources, and services—a space where citizens can have their say about issues.

“I am so incredibly excited about this new direction,” said Powell. “I will work with anyone who is willing to work with us, as long as love, peace, sincere and respectful communication, and mutual cooperation are the foundations for our partnerships.”

So it’s "Powell for Peace and Partnerships" in 2012 instead of another run for Congress.

Or perhaps it’s a back door nod to Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, who's now planning a run against Towns in 2012. A three–way race with Jeffries would split the vote against Towns.

And what’s worse for Powell? A third possible loss, or the likelihood a three-way race could hand-deliver Towns yet another win?