Powers was born in Eagleville, Modoc County, California, in 1900. He was a rancher primarily in Modoc County, but owned several ranches in California, Nevada, and Idaho. First elected to the California State Senate in 1932, Powers represented Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties. He served as President pro tempore of the Senate beginning in 1947.[2]
In his capacity as Senate president pro tempore, Powers was to succeed the lieutenant governor in case of a vacancy in that office. This occurred in 1953, when Governor Earl Warren resigned to become chief justice of the United States and Lieutenant Governor Goodwin Knight succeeded to the governorship. Powers was elected to a full term in 1954, and sought re-election in 1958, but in the Democratic landslide that year he lost to Glenn M. Anderson.
In 1962, Powers ran for governor but withdrew at the urging of Republican leaders who supported former Vice PresidentRichard M. Nixon. After giving up his campaign for governor, Powers focused on rallying opposition to Nixon and to gain support for Democratic incumbent Edmund G. Brown, who defeated Nixon in the general election.[3]
