Leonard Boswell

Candidate for Congress

Iowa (IA-03)

 

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As the only Democratic member of the Iowa delegation, Leonard Boswell has kept Iowa’s Third Congressional district blue for five terms while representing the needs and concerns of his constituents. Boswell’s hard work as a farmer, soldier and community leader mirror the values of the district.

Congressman Leonard Boswell continues to run campaigns that have cost well over a million and a half dollars. However, in 2006 he'll need close to $2.5 million to protect the Democrats’ only seat in Iowa.

Even though Congressman Boswell faced two spirited challenges by attorney Stan Thompson in 2002 and 2004, he will now face the Republican President of the Iowa Senate, Jeff Lamberti. Backed by his family’s personal wealth and connections within the district—as well as the backing of the NRCC—Lamberti represents a more difficult challenge for Congressman Boswell.

Additionally, there will be no top of the ticket help from the Presidential turnout machine in Polk and other Democratic counties. Because of this, the campaign will need to make a greater push for voter registration and turnout on its own. There will, however, be an open-seat gubernatorial race in 2006 that can provide added support in Democratic counties.

Even against a difficult challenger, Leonard Boswell can win in this district. In 2004, Boswell ran 6 points ahead of John Kerry in Polk County (Polk County represent more than 60% of the population in Iowa’s 3rd district). Moreover, Congressman Boswell has always been able to run ahead of other Democratic candidates in rural areas, which make up a majority of his district. Boswell's hard working, aggressive grassroots style of campaigning should never be underestimated, and will once again serve him well in 2006.

Boswell’s experience as a 27-year Army veteran and Vietnam War hero serving on the House Select Intelligence Committee provide unparalleled expertise on National Security and Military issues. In Congress, he helped create the first balanced federal budget in nearly three decades, provided meaningful tax relief to working families, supported the most comprehensive education reform ever undertaken, and has been instrumental in crafting aviation security legislation. Congressman Boswell is also a member of the Agriculture and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees.