Leonard Boswell

Leonard Boswell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 7, 1997
Preceded by	Jim Lightfoot
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Born	January 10 1934 (1934--) (age 73) Harrison County, Missouri
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Dody Boswell
Religion	Community of Christ

Leonard L. Boswell (born January 10 1934) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 3rd District of Iowa (map).

Boswell was born in Missouri, was educated at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. He 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 Crosses, two Bronze Stars, the Soldier's Medal, and numerous 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.

He was a farmer and a member of the Iowa Senate before entering the House. Boswell was also the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor of Iowa in 1994. Boswell is a member of the Community of Christ.[1] He and his wife Dody have three children.[2]

Boswell had a non-cancerous 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.

Voting record

On October 10, 2002, Leonard Boswell was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq as a last resort. He voted as well for the PATRIOT Act, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, No Child Left Behind, HR 4437, and has a 60% pro-choice rating at NARAL.

Election History

1996: Defeated Mike Mahaffey 49%-48%

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%

Congressional Committees

• U.S. House Committee on Agriculture
• U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Agriculture Committee

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. ^[1]

References

External links

• U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell official House site
• Leonard Boswell at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Election Commission — Leonard L Boswell campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues — Leonard Boswell issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org — Leonard L. Boswell campaign contributions
• Project Vote Smart — Representative Leonard L. Boswell (IA) profile
• SourceWatch Congresspedia — Leonard Boswell profile
• Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Leonard Boswell voting record
• Re—Elect Boswell U.S. Congressman official campaign site

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