L. W. Housel - Iowa Elections

Iowa Elections

For Housel’s first thirty years in Iowa (from 1902 to 1932), Republicans dominated the General Assembly and governorship, and the Iowa congressional delegation. Humboldt County and the congressional district in which it was then located (Iowa's 10th congressional district) were overwhelmingly Republican. Nevertheless, Housel and his family remained in Humboldt and he repeatedly ran for elective office as a Democrat. Three times he ran for election to the Iowa House of Representatives (in 1910, 1912, and 1920), but was defeated each time in the general election. In 1914, he ran in the Democratic primary for Congress for the Tenth District, but was defeated by D.M. Kelleher of more populous Fort Dodge, who was in turn defeated in the general election by Republican Frank P. Woods.

In 1924 he received the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, but was defeated by Republican Clem Kimball in the general election.

In 1928, he ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Iowa. In the general election he ran against Republican Governor John Hammill, who was then seeking his third term. With Iowa native Herbert Hoover at the top of the Republican ticket and the Great Depression a year away, Republicans swept all major races, including the Hammill-Housel race.

For health reasons, Housel did not enter any races in 1930, but in 1932 ran again for the Democratic nomination for Governor. He ran on a conservative platform, urging that the state cut spending and programs by up to 25 percent in order to allow a general cut in all taxes as a form of relief from the Depression. That year would become the best year yet for Democratic candidates in Iowa, but Housel’s candidacy did not survive the primary. He was defeated in the June primary by future Governor and U.S. Senator Clyde L. Herring.