John Powers

John Powers may refer to:

See also

John Powers (mayor)

John Powers is a former Mayor of Spokane, Washington.

He was the first mayor to serve under the Strong Mayor form of Government. He beat incumbent John Talbott in 2000, and served as mayor until losing in the 2003 mayoral primary to journalist Tom Grant and the future mayor Jim West. Powers finished third in the race and was unable to continue to the general election, which is a two person head-to-head challenge (West and Grant). Though the position of Mayor wasn't political, Powers is considered a strong Democrat.

References

John Powers (alderman)

John Powers (February 15, 1852 in Brannon, Ireland - May 19, 1930) served as an alderman in Chicago, Illinois (1888-1903, 1904–1927) for the Democratic Party. He was known as Johnny De Pow by his constituents. Along with Bathhouse John Coughlin and Hinky Dink Kenna, Powers was considered one of the leaders of the "Gray Wolves" of Chicago politics.

Powers arrived in Chicago in 1872 and began working as an apprentice to a grocer. After opening his own grocery store, he added a tavern next to it and used his exposure there to begin a political career as a ward captain. In 1888, Powers ran for alderman of Chicago's 19th ward and won, after which he closed his grocery, but continued to run his saloon, eventually going into business with fellow an alderman, William O'Brian, to open a larger saloon which included gambling.

Powers introduced the practice of distributing free turkeys, ducks, and geese to voters at Christmas, but his inability to keep his ward clean of garbage or maintain the schools led Jane Addams to target him. Addams also focused on Powers' corruption, citing instances of cronyism and bribery. Powers, in turn, used Addams's attacks on him to brand her as anti-Catholic, but he also hired her to be the ward's garbage inspector, the only paying job she ever held.