Active in politics as a Whig and an advocate of the Temperance movement, Powers edited newspapers dedicated to both causes.
[3] Powers served several terms in the Vermont House of Representatives in the 1850s, and was Speaker from 1850 to 1853.
[4] In 1857, Powers was appointed superintendent of the construction of the Vermont State House, erecting the current building to replace one destroyed by fire.
[5] Powers served in the Vermont Senate during the American Civil War, and was appointed President pro tempore in 1861.
[6] In 1862, Powers was appointed federal revenue assessor for southern Vermont, and he served until 1871.