Leonard Boswell
Encyclopedia
Leonard L. Boswell is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
The district is based in Des Moines.
, and was educated at Graceland University
in Lamoni, Iowa
.
Boswell spent twenty years in the United States Army
. He was first drafted in the Army in 1956 as a private
. He later graduated from Artillery Officers Candidate School, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
. During his military career he earned two Distinguished Flying Cross
es, two Bronze Star
s, the Soldier's Medal
, and various other awards and decorations. He served two one-year tours of duty as an assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam
. He also served two NATO tours of duty in Europe
, first for four years in Germany
, and later three years in Portugal
.
in 1984, and served three terms in that body. In 1986, he ran for the United States House of Representatives
, but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary. He was President of the Iowa Senate from 1993 to 1996. He was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
in 1994, as Bonnie Campbell
's running mate.
Boswell is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
In the 111th Congress, Boswell voted with Democratic leadership more often than 131 members, or 49%, of the Democratic Caucus. Boswell authored H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, which was signed into law in 2007 and provides mental health services and support for veterans. Boswell has voted to double Pell Grants and supported the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act, providing the largest increase in college aid since the GI bill. He voted for the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. Boswell voted to expand funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) and voted twice to override the President's veto of SCHIP legislation. Boswell has voted for a timetable to begin withdrawal of troops from Iraq. He has supported the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
and the 2009 Stimulus act, cap and trade legislation for carbon emissions, and has voted for the federal Health Care reform legislation.
However, Boswell has voted with Republicans on key issues in the past. In 2000 he voted to phase out the estate tax, a bill that was later vetoed by President Clinton. In 2001 Boswell voted for the USA PATRIOT Act, and for its reauthorization in 2005. In 2002 he would authorize the invasion of Iraq. In 2005 he voted for the bankruptcy bill sponsored by Senator Grassley. In 2008 he supported passing the FISA bill granting telecommunications companies immunity from prosecution for their involvement in warrantless wiretapping of American citizens, including his sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi encouraging her not to fight the bill. He voted for the final House version of the bill once he was convinced it provided adequate protection to the telecom companies.
From 2003 through 2005, $14.7 billion in crop subsidies went to the congressional districts of members on the House Committee on Agriculture, an analysis by the non-partisan Environmental Working Group found. That was 42.4% of the total subsidies. Boswell is reported to have brought $404 million to his District.
incumbent Jim Ross Lightfoot
made an unsuccessful run for the United States Senate
. He defeated Poweshiek County Attorney Mike Mahaffey by just over 4,000 votes. He was likely helped by Bill Clinton
carrying the district, as well as the endorsement of the normally Republican-leaning Iowa Farm Bureau. He was handily reelected in 1998 and 2000.
For his first three terms, Boswell represented a sprawling district that stretched from the Illinois
border almost to the Nebraska
border. However, his district was dismantled in the 2000s round of redistricting (even though Iowa didn't lose any seats), and its territory was split among three other districts. Boswell's home was shifted to the heavily Republican 5th District. Rather than face almost certain defeat, Boswell moved to Des Moines in the newly created 3rd District—thus making him technically the successor to Greg Ganske
, who represented a Des Moines-based district from 1995 to 2003 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2002.
Boswell had a non-cancer
ous tumor
removed from his stomach in 2005. The surgery and resulting recovery period caused him to be the most-absent member of Congress for the year. Rumors circulated that Democrats were looking to replace him on the ballot for 2006's Congressional race against Iowa GOP Senate leader Jeff Lamberti
, but Boswell's return to work and apparent good health have put an end to the speculation. He was reelected to his 7th term on November 4, 2008.
1998: Defeated Larry McKibben
57%-41%
2000: Defeated Jay Marcus 63%-34%
2002: Defeated Stan Thompson 53%-45%
2004: Defeated Stan Thompson 55%-45%
2006: Defeated Jeff Lamberti
52%-46%
2008: Defeated Kim Schmett 56%-42%
2010: Defeated Brad Zaun & Rebecca Williamson 51%-46%-3%
. He has been married to Dody Boswell since 1956; they have three children. Boswell operates a farm in Davis City
that has been in his family for several generations. He was a member of the board of directors for the Decatur County
farmer's cooperative from 1979 to 1993, serving for most of that time as president.
In July of 2011, Boswell and his family were the victims of a home invasion. At about 10:45 p.m. on July 16, an armed man came through the front door of Boswell's Iowa farm house, attacked his daughter, Cindy Brown, and demanded money. The Congressman struggled with the man until his grandson, Mitchell Brown, aimed a shotgun at the intruder, at which point the intruder fled the house into the surrounding fields. During Boswell's 2010 re-election campaign, his views on gun rights and armed self-defense earned him an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association
's Political Victory Fund, which endorsed him over his (also "A"-rated) Republican rival.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
The district is based in Des Moines.
Early life, education and career
Boswell was born in Harrison County, MissouriHarrison County, Missouri
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,850 people, 3,658 households, and 2,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile . There were 4,316 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile...
, and was educated at Graceland University
Graceland University
Graceland is not ranked by U.S. News & World Report, being deemed a Tier 3 institution. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.-Housing System:...
in Lamoni, Iowa
Lamoni, Iowa
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,444 people, 818 households, and 428 families residing in the city. The population density was 761.1 people per square mile . There were 904 housing units at an average density of 281.5 per square mile...
.
Boswell spent twenty years in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He was first drafted in the Army in 1956 as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
. He later graduated from Artillery Officers Candidate School, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. During his military career he earned two Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es, two Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
s, the Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
, and various other awards and decorations. He served two one-year tours of duty as an assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. He also served two NATO tours of duty in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, first for four years in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and later three years in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
Early political career
Boswell was elected to the Iowa SenateIowa Senate
The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 members of the Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 59,500 per constituency. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts...
in 1984, and served three terms in that body. In 1986, he ran for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary. He was President of the Iowa Senate from 1993 to 1996. He was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
This is a List of Lieutenant Governors of the U.S. state of Iowa, 1858 to present. In Iowa, the Lieutenant Governor and the governor run together on the same ticket. Before the 1998 Election, the law was changed from the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor running separately....
in 1994, as Bonnie Campbell
Bonnie Campbell
Bonnie J. Campbell is an American lawyer, a former Iowa Attorney General, a former Iowa gubernatorial candidate, a former official in the U.S. Department of Justice and a former federal judicial nominee to the U.S...
's running mate.
Committee assignments
- Committee on AgricultureUnited States House Committee on AgricultureThe U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding...
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk ManagementUnited States House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk ManagementThe House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management is a subcommittee within the House Agriculture Committee. The subcommittee oversees program and markets for major commercial crops, such as cotton, cottonseed, wheat, feed grains , soybeans, oilseeds, rice, dry beans, peas, and...
(Ranking Member) - Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and PoultryUnited States House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and PoultryThe House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry is a subcommittee within the House Agriculture Committee. It oversees all issues relating to livestock, dairy, poultry, meat, seafood and seafood products including federal inspection, marketing, and promotion of these commodities...
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
- Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureUnited States House Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureThe U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. John Mica currently chairs the committee.-History:...
- Subcommittee on Highways and TransitUnited States House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and TransitThe House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit is a subcommittee within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The subcommittee oversees highway, transit, and highway safety programs in the United States, as well as policy governing how highway and transit projects...
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Boswell is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
In the 111th Congress, Boswell voted with Democratic leadership more often than 131 members, or 49%, of the Democratic Caucus. Boswell authored H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, which was signed into law in 2007 and provides mental health services and support for veterans. Boswell has voted to double Pell Grants and supported the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act, providing the largest increase in college aid since the GI bill. He voted for the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. Boswell voted to expand funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program
State Children's Health Insurance Program
The State Children's Health Insurance Program – later known more simply as the Children's Health Insurance Program – is a program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides matching funds to states for health insurance to families with children...
(SCHIP) and voted twice to override the President's veto of SCHIP legislation. Boswell has voted for a timetable to begin withdrawal of troops from Iraq. He has supported the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Division A of , commonly referred to as a bailout of the U.S. financial system, is a law enacted in response to the subprime mortgage crisis...
and the 2009 Stimulus act, cap and trade legislation for carbon emissions, and has voted for the federal Health Care reform legislation.
However, Boswell has voted with Republicans on key issues in the past. In 2000 he voted to phase out the estate tax, a bill that was later vetoed by President Clinton. In 2001 Boswell voted for the USA PATRIOT Act, and for its reauthorization in 2005. In 2002 he would authorize the invasion of Iraq. In 2005 he voted for the bankruptcy bill sponsored by Senator Grassley. In 2008 he supported passing the FISA bill granting telecommunications companies immunity from prosecution for their involvement in warrantless wiretapping of American citizens, including his sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi encouraging her not to fight the bill. He voted for the final House version of the bill once he was convinced it provided adequate protection to the telecom companies.
From 2003 through 2005, $14.7 billion in crop subsidies went to the congressional districts of members on the House Committee on Agriculture, an analysis by the non-partisan Environmental Working Group found. That was 42.4% of the total subsidies. Boswell is reported to have brought $404 million to his District.
Political campaigns
Boswell won the Democratic nomination for the 3rd District after 12-year RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent Jim Ross Lightfoot
Jim Ross Lightfoot
James Ross "Jim" Lightfoot is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa.-Early life:...
made an unsuccessful run for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. He defeated Poweshiek County Attorney Mike Mahaffey by just over 4,000 votes. He was likely helped by Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
carrying the district, as well as the endorsement of the normally Republican-leaning Iowa Farm Bureau. He was handily reelected in 1998 and 2000.
For his first three terms, Boswell represented a sprawling district that stretched from the Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
border almost to the Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
border. However, his district was dismantled in the 2000s round of redistricting (even though Iowa didn't lose any seats), and its territory was split among three other districts. Boswell's home was shifted to the heavily Republican 5th District. Rather than face almost certain defeat, Boswell moved to Des Moines in the newly created 3rd District—thus making him technically the successor to Greg Ganske
Greg Ganske
John Greg Ganske is a politician from Iowa. He began a career as a plastic surgeon, but went on to serve as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003....
, who represented a Des Moines-based district from 1995 to 2003 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2002.
Boswell had a non-cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
ous tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
removed from his stomach in 2005. The surgery and resulting recovery period caused him to be the most-absent member of Congress for the year. Rumors circulated that Democrats were looking to replace him on the ballot for 2006's Congressional race against Iowa GOP Senate leader Jeff Lamberti
Jeff Lamberti
Jeff Lamberti is the former Republican Senate leader and two term state senator representing the 35th District of the Iowa Senate, and served two terms as State Representative. In the 2006 mid-term election, Lamberti was the Republican nominee for U.S...
, but Boswell's return to work and apparent good health have put an end to the speculation. He was reelected to his 7th term on November 4, 2008.
Electoral history
1996: Defeated Mike Mahaffey 49%-48%1998: Defeated Larry McKibben
Larry McKibben
Larry E. McKibben was the Iowa State Senator from the 22nd District. He had served in the Iowa Senate since 1997 and was an assistant minority leader until he retired in 2008. He received his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law...
57%-41%
2000: Defeated Jay Marcus 63%-34%
2002: Defeated Stan Thompson 53%-45%
2004: Defeated Stan Thompson 55%-45%
2006: Defeated Jeff Lamberti
Jeff Lamberti
Jeff Lamberti is the former Republican Senate leader and two term state senator representing the 35th District of the Iowa Senate, and served two terms as State Representative. In the 2006 mid-term election, Lamberti was the Republican nominee for U.S...
52%-46%
2008: Defeated Kim Schmett 56%-42%
2010: Defeated Brad Zaun & Rebecca Williamson 51%-46%-3%
Personal life
Boswell is a member of the Community of ChristCommunity of Christ
The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , is an American-based international Christian church established in April 1830 that claims as its mission "to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace"...
. He has been married to Dody Boswell since 1956; they have three children. Boswell operates a farm in Davis City
Davis City, Iowa
Davis City is a city in Decatur County, Iowa, United States. The population was 275 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Davis City is located at along the Thompson River...
that has been in his family for several generations. He was a member of the board of directors for the Decatur County
Decatur County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,457 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,834 housing units, of which 3,223 were occupied.-2000 census:...
farmer's cooperative from 1979 to 1993, serving for most of that time as president.
In July of 2011, Boswell and his family were the victims of a home invasion. At about 10:45 p.m. on July 16, an armed man came through the front door of Boswell's Iowa farm house, attacked his daughter, Cindy Brown, and demanded money. The Congressman struggled with the man until his grandson, Mitchell Brown, aimed a shotgun at the intruder, at which point the intruder fled the house into the surrounding fields. During Boswell's 2010 re-election campaign, his views on gun rights and armed self-defense earned him an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
's Political Victory Fund, which endorsed him over his (also "A"-rated) Republican rival.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell official U.S. House site
- Re—Elect Boswell U.S. Congressman official campaign site