L. W. Housel

Lorenzo William Housel (December 30, 1873 – September 15, 1935) was a Connecticut state legislator who later ran for Congress and statewide office in Iowa. Running as a Democrat in an era in which Republicans dominated Iowa politics, Housel was unsuccessful in each of his Iowa races.

Personal background L.W. Housel was born in VanEttenville, New York, to a veteran of the Civil War and his wife. The better portion of his young life was spent in Nichols, New York. After attending rural schools in New York and working on farms and in lumber camps, After receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale in 1897, he then attended Yale Law School, receiving his law degree in 1900. where he represented a district in New Haven. Although Democratic House members were outnumbered four to one by Republicans, his bill received good support, but did not pass. The 'plans' with Mina included that he remove to Humboldt, Iowa, and to enter into private practice with his new father-in-law. 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,

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 governor's 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 in a year when many Democrats were hopeful of a chance to defeat the Republicans. He was defeated in the June primary by future Governor and U.S. Senator Clyde L. Herring.

Retirement In 1931, Housel and his wife were traveling in Managua, Nicaragua when the 1931 Nicaragua earthquake destroyed their hotel.