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.

[2] In his capacity as Senate president pro tempore, Powers was to succeed the lieutenant governor in case of a vacancy in that office.

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 President Richard M. Nixon.